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Samaritans and Network Rail share important message this World Suicide Prevention Day

Suicide is not inevitable. You can interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts. You could save a life.

This World Suicide Prevention Day, Samaritans and Network Rail are sharing one important message: If you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts and show them you care. You don’t need to know someone to save their life.

A man is talking to someone at a train station

Since 2017, we have run Small Talk Saves Lives in partnership with Network Rail and British Transport Police, which encourages people to start a simple conversation if they think someone isn’t OK at railway stations or other public places, if they feel safe to do so.

A little small talk and a simple question like ‘Hey, are you alright?’ or ‘Lovely weather today isn’t it’ is all it takes to create a moment of human connection and interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts.

In fact, 67% of people in the UK we would appreciate someone checking on them, offering words of support, if they were struggling to cope.*

Don sitting in the drivers seat of a train

Train driver Don Coffey helped to save a woman’s life by using small talk to connect with her and bring her to safety.

Read Don's story

For World Suicide Prevention Day, the ‘Train Driver of the Year’ has also fronted a video encouraging rail staff and enthusiasts to look out for anyone who might be struggling, and to use small talk to interrupt suicidal thoughts.

It is normal to feel unsure about starting a conversation and worry about saying the wrong thing, but it’s better to say something than to say nothing at all. Even if the person doesn’t respond right away, showing you care can make a lasting impact.

Suicidal thoughts can be interrupted, here’s how you can help

If you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts and show them you care.

How to reach out to someone

Small interruptions you make and actions you take could help someone who is suicidal. There’s no quick fix but in that moment, you could save their life.

  • Start a conversation - It can be as simple as saying ‘hello’ or asking a question. Try not to worry about saying the wrong thing.
  • Ask how they’re feeling - Don’t be afraid to ask if they’re having suicidal thoughts. It gives them permission to tell you how they really feel.
  • Be there for them in the moment - If you’re worried about someone, stay with them and let them know you’re there for them. If you think it’s an emergency or they’ve tried to harm themselves, call 999 in the UK or 112 in Ireland.
  • Listen without judgement - Give them a safe space to express how they feel. Try not to jump in with advice or opinions.

If you’re worried someone is having harmful thoughts, it’s better to interrupt than not.

Member of Samaritans’ lived experience panel

Anyone can interrupt suicidal thoughts

We surveyed people with lived experience and the majority told us that their suicidal thoughts have been interrupted. Many respondents said their suicidal thoughts had been interrupted by someone close to them, while some said their suicidal thoughts had been interrupted by someone they didn’t know.

For more tips, visit our World Suicide Prevention Day page.

You can also visit our World Suicide Prevention Day toolkit for guidance on how to start up a conversation.

*Research conducted by Mortar Research via an online omnibus poll of 2085 respondents in February 2025.

Small Talk Saves Lives

Your words are a life-saving kit. If you see someone who doesn’t look OK, a little small talk could save their life. Anyone can do it.

World Suicide Prevention Day

Every year, on 10 September, organisations around the world get together to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

World Suicide Prevention Day funders toolkit

Every year on the 10th of September, organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

Need support? Call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan or

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