Suicidal thoughts can be interrupted

We’ve created reverse graffiti on pavements and in public spaces across London to interrupt people’s everyday journeys and encourage them to reach out when they’re worried about someone.

Watch our campaign video

Watch how we took these messages onto the streets of London:

Read on to find out more about the messages and what our research tells us about reaching out.

Suicidal thoughts are more common than many people realise. One in four of us will experience them at some point in our lives.

Whether it’s you, someone close to you or someone you hardly know, connection can matter. Reaching out, checking in and listening can help someone feel less alone.

We often think of interruptions as unwelcome. But when someone is struggling, we can help interrupt their thoughts in a positive way.

Starting a conversation, checking in or simply showing that you care could help someone open up and talk about how they’re feeling.

You don’t need to solve their problems or know exactly what to say. Listening without judgement can be an important first step.

When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, they might find change or improvement hard to imagine.

However, thoughts and feelings can shift over time. Being listened to, understood and supported could help someone through a difficult moment and remind them they don’t have to face it alone.

For Paul, those words came from a taxi driver who noticed that something wasn’t right and stopped to ask if he was OK.

Paul had been planning to end his life that evening. The driver spoke to him, gave him the number for Samaritans and encouraged him to call. Paul later contacted us, and says that conversation helped him get through the night.

His story is a reminder that reaching out to someone – even a stranger – could make more of a difference than we realise.

Read Paul's story

Since completing Samaritans training, Elizabeth Line worker Rizwan Javed has helped save 34 lives. He first put what he’d learned into practice just two days later, approaching someone at risk of suicide and helping them reach a place of safety.

Most of us believe that talking to someone who is struggling can make a positive difference. But reaching out can still feel difficult.

Research commissioned by Samaritans asked 2,000 adults across Britain about what can hold people back from checking in when they’re concerned about someone’s wellbeing.

The research also found that 79% believe British culture can make people reluctant to interrupt or get involved in other people’s personal matters.

Worries about saying the wrong thing, making things worse or invading someone’s privacy can all make us hesitate. But you don’t need to have all the answers before you reach out. Sometimes, simply starting a conversation and listening can be an important first step.

If you’re worried that someone might be experiencing suicidal thoughts, it can be difficult to know what to do.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Starting a conversation, listening without judgement and showing that you care could help someone feel less alone.

Read our guide to interrupting someone's suicidal thoughts