Sections
2. Ways to start a conversation
3. Be there for them in the moment
6. Don’t be afraid to ask if they’re having suicidal thoughts
7. Help the person take their mind off how they’re feeling
8. There’s no quick fix, but in that moment you can save someone’s life
5. Show that you really care
They just asked if I was OK. It made me more aware of other people and the impact anything I did would have on them. It also made me feel less alone.
Member of Samaritans' lived experience panel
Suggestions from people with lived experience
- Be genuine.
- Choose a comfortable setting.
- If the person asks you for more support at other times, be consistent and reliable in your responses.
- Show compassion, not judgement.
- Practise active listening.
- Validate their feelings by acknowledging and accepting their emotions without trying to fix them.
When someone is carrying around worries and difficult feelings, it can feel very lonely. Here are some little tips for helping someone open up when something’s up.
Just someone asking if you’re alright could make a difference and at least make you aware that someone has noticed your distress.
Member of Samaritans' lived experience panel
Remember, these ideas and suggestions came from people with experience of suicidal thoughts. Everybody is different and what works for one person might not be right for someone else, but they’ve shared lots of different ideas and examples of things they find helpful when they’re having suicidal thoughts.