World Suicide Prevention Day

Every year we campaign with over 70 other suicide prevention and mental health groups under the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA). Together, we ask governments in the UK and Ireland to make suicide prevention a priority.

We also raise awareness about Samaritans, suicide prevention and provide tips on how to take care of yourself and others better. This World Suicide Prevention Day, if you’re worried someone might be experiencing suicidal thoughts – we encourage you to ask them directly.

Asking someone if they’re suicidal won’t make things worse. Evidence shows it could protect them.

If someone is feeling suicidal, it might be hard to get through to them. They might be distant or distracted or feel disconnected from the world and their own emotions. They might not respond right away. But asking someone directly if they’re having suicidal thoughts can give them permission to tell you how they feel.

If someone does let you know that they are having suicidal thoughts, always take them seriously. You don’t have to be an expert, just being there to listen and showing you care can help them work through what’s going on. Let them know they’re not a burden and there’s always someone they can turn to – whether it’s a family member or friend, or a 24/7 helpline like Samaritans.

It’s OK to ask about suicidal thoughts. It could save a life.

People who have been suicidal have often said it is a relief to talk about thoughts they are experiencing. Just being there to listen and showing you care can help. If they want to talk to someone else about how they are feeling, they can call Samaritans.

Just being there to listen and showing you care can help. Here are some tips on how to open up a conversation with someone you’re worried about: 

• Choose a good time, and somewhere without distractions
• Use open questions that need more than a yes/no answer
• ‘How are things, I’ve noticed you don’t seem quite yourself?’
• Listen well. ‘How’s that making you feel?’
• Avoid giving your view of what’s wrong, or what they should do

It's normal to feel anxious about asking someone if they’re suicidal, but it could save someone's life. Try and avoid saying things like ‘you’re not thinking of doing something stupid are you?’. Being patient and showing you care builds trust and helps someone to open up.

You could ask:

• Have you thought about ending your life?
• Are you saying that you want to die?
• Are you thinking of ending your life because you want to be dead, or is it because you want the situation you're in or the way you feel to stop?

Find out more about supporting someone you’re worried about

• Supporting someone with suicidal thoughts
• How to support someone you're worried about
• In the moment

You can download our Shush tips and WSPD Little tips to share and help you become a better listener and help someone open up.

Support WSPD

There are lots of ways you can support World Suicide Prevention Day. Feel free to share any of the assets below and remember to tag us - @samaritans on Twitter and LinkedIn, and @samaritanscharity on Facebook and Instagram.

We also have provided some suggested copy for your social posts, which you can find on our Corporate toolkit.