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The theme for World Suicide
Prevention Day 2024 is ‘changing the narrative on suicide.’ The message is that
encouraging open and honest conversations prevents suicide by reducing stigma
and providing those who are struggling with much-needed understanding and
support. If you are worried about a friend, family member, or colleague who is
experiencing suicidal thoughts, here’s how you can talk to them about how they
are feeling and help them get the support they need.
Why we need to start the
conversation around suicide
According to the World Health
Organisation, 700,000 people die from suicide globally each year. That’s
700,000 people whose families, friends, colleagues, and communities are left
devastated. 6,069 of those suicides were registered in England and Wales in
2023, according to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. This
is the highest figure in nearly 25 years. Suicide rates increased across all
age groups, particularly among people aged 45 to 64, and men account for
three-quarters of deaths by suicide.
Yet despite this and the fact
that so many people experience suicidal thoughts, suicide is still a taboo
subject and we still struggle to talk about it.
Is someone you care about
struggling?
There are a number of reasons why
someone might feel suicidal. Job losses, money worries, relationship
breakdowns, a devastating health diagnosis, and chronic mental ill health are
just some of the things which may increase the risk of suicide. If you’re
worried about a friend, family member, or colleague who’s experiencing one of
these situations and they tell you they are fine, don’t take it at face value.
Especially if you notice any of these signs:
· They are isolating themselves-they take a long
time to reply to messages or don’t reply at all, and have stopped wanting to
meet up.
·
They appear agitated and/or have angry outbursts
which is out of character for them.
·
They tell you that they are struggling to sleep
or can’t seem to get up in the morning.
·
They lose interest in things they usually enjoy.
·
They may voice that they feel hopeless or that
there’s no point to anything.
·
They start drinking more or using other
substances more.
· They start giving their things away, seeing no
need for them, and when they say goodbye to people, they do so like it’s the
last time.
· They suddenly appear upbeat and cheerful-this
can be a sign that they’ve decided to take their life and they’re feeling
relieved.
Reaching out can make all the
difference
Don’t be afraid to talk about
suicide. Some people are afraid that if they say the word, it will make it more
likely that someone will take their life. That’s not true. In fact, avoiding
the topic can contribute to a person’s feelings of isolation and hopelessness.
It might be that the person you
are worried about is not ready or too anxious to tell you that they are
experiencing suicidal thoughts. If this is the case, you can try to start the
conversation. Ask them about how they feel and let them know that you are there
for them and you want to help. The chances are that being able to finally admit
how they’ve been feeling to someone will be a huge relief.
If they don’t want to open up,
keep reaching out, whatever that looks like. It can make all the difference to
know that someone cares.
If you’re worried about what to
say, try these:
‘I’m here for you.’
‘You’re not on your own.’
‘I want to help.’
‘It might not seem like it now,
but it will get better.’
Don’t be tempted to try and
‘change their mind,’ tell them to be positive, or tell them that others have it
worse. Even if you mean well, it can add to a person’s feelings of being
misunderstood or not cared for.
Help others by helping
yourself
When you are supporting someone
who is struggling with suicidal thoughts, it can be incredibly distressing,
especially if it’s someone close to you. That’s why you have to prioritise
looking after yourself too. Seek support and advice from a therapist or an
organisation like the Samaritans. Try to get plenty of rest, eat well, stay
active, and do more things that fill your cup. Above everything, be kind to
yourself and know that you are doing your best for someone you care about.
Help for people who are
struggling with suicidal thoughts
If you are helping someone seek
support, there are services which can offer help, support, and advice.
Samaritans-Call 116 123 for free,
24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
SANE- The SANEline helpline is
available from 4-10pm, 365 day per year. Call 0300 304 7000
SHOUT- the SHOUT text messaging
support service is available 24/7. Just text 85258 for free.
CALM-the helpline service is
available from 5pm until midnight on 0800 58 58 58. There are also options on
the website
for WhatsApp and live chat support.
Therapy for suicidal thoughts
If the person you’re supporting
needs ongoing support, it may be worth discussing attending therapy with them.
They will be able to access talking therapies on the NHS or privately through
organisations like Talk Works. We offer therapy via employer wellbeing
programmes or people can self-refer.
Therapy can be a good option for
anyone who needs help, support, and a safe space to get to the bottom of why
they feel like they do. To find out more about our therapy services, go to https://talk-works.org.uk/therapy/
Sources for stats:
Global suicide deaths:
https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-suicide-prevention-day/world-suicide-prevention-day-2024
Deaths by suicide registered in England and Wales, 2023: https://www.sane.org.uk/campaigning-media/news-and-comment/sane-responds-to-latest-data-on-registered-deaths-from-suicide
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