Download document: Little Tips
1.1 mb - PDF
Every year, we campaign to raise awareness of suicide prevention.
Every year, organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.
World Suicide Prevention Suicide Day is always on 10 September.
The latest suicides statistics showed that in 2018, in the UK and Republic of Ireland, more than 6,800 people died by suicide. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy.
And we know that suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable.
But not being OK is still widely stigmatised. And governments can still make better, more ambitious plans to prevent suicide.
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.
This World Suicide Prevention Day, we're highlighting the importance of the language we use when we talk about suicide, especially when asking someone you're worried about if they're suicidal.
It’s important to talk and write about suicide safely and responsibly. Using the right language around suicide is key to breaking down stigma. When we use our words carefully we can create a safe environment for people to open up.
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.
If you’re worried someone might be suicidal, asking directly can not only give us the clarification but also what action to take next. For me, approaching this question with delicacy but determination to do what is right by our callers is the best way forward. Whether through asking softly or asking when the opportunity is right. Suicide is an important topic, but it can be seen as a taboo, so it is important people know it is OK to ask, “are you feeling suicidal?” as it helps the topic of suicide enter our conversations a bit more.
Aisha, Samaritans volunteer
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:
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:
Remember these dos and don’ts:
We also have Little Tips for helping someone open up when something's up.
1.1 mb - PDF
There are lots of ways you can support World Suicide Prevention Day. Below is a funders toolkit for our partners and external organisations, as well as assets anyone is welcome to share on social on the day.
We're so grateful to all of our partners and funders who support Samaritans on World Suicide Prevention Day. We've created a funders toolkit and a rail partner toolkit that includes tips and tools to share with colleagues to help support them, as well as suggested content to help you support the day and raise awareness on social media.
421.0 kb - JPG
318.0 kb - JPG
267.0 kb - JPG
Thank you for supporting us this World Suicide Prevention Day. We really appreciate it, not just today but all year round.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with our Social Media team - [email protected]
Samaritans is the official Charity of the Year for the 2024 TCS London Marathon.
Run with #TeamSamaritans and help us support more people from all backgrounds and walks of life who are struggling to cope. We believe in tomorrow, and together we can save lives.