Suicide can be a difficult subject to talk about. People may worry about saying the wrong thing, making matters worse or simply not knowing what to do.
But conversations matter – Reaching out, listening without judgement and showing genuine care can help someone feel less alone. Sometimes, simply knowing that another person has noticed and is willing to listen can be an important first step towards getting support.
Recognising When Someone May Be Struggling
There is no single sign that someone may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, and people respond to difficult circumstances in very different ways.
However, noticeable changes in someone’s behaviour or mood can sometimes indicate that they are struggling. These may include:
- Becoming increasingly withdrawn or isolated
- Appearing persistently low, anxious, distressed or overwhelmed
- Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped or like a burden
- Losing interest in things they previously enjoyed
- Significant changes in sleep, appetite or usual routines
- Increased use of alcohol or other substances
- Giving away possessions or unexpectedly saying goodbye
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
Not everyone displaying these behaviours will be suicidal, but significant or concerning changes can be a reason to check in and ask how someone is doing.
Starting a Conversation
You don’t need to be a mental health professional to reach out to somebody you are worried about.
Sometimes a simple, genuine question such as “You don’t seem yourself lately. How are you doing?” can open the door to a conversation.
Give the person time to speak. Listen without judgement and resist the temptation to immediately fix the situation or tell them what they should do.
Sometimes, being genuinely heard is exactly what somebody needs.
It’s Okay to Ask About Suicide
If you are genuinely concerned that someone may be thinking about suicide, it is okay to ask them directly.
Asking someone about suicide does not put the idea into their mind. Instead, asking calmly and compassionately can give them an opportunity to talk honestly about what they are experiencing.
If somebody tells you they are thinking about suicide, take them seriously and encourage them to access appropriate professional support. If you believe there is an immediate danger to life, seek emergency assistance.
Creating Supportive Workplaces
Suicide prevention is also relevant to the workplace.
Employees can experience many pressures both inside and outside work, including stress, relationship difficulties, bereavement, financial worries, family problems, anxiety, low mood and other personal challenges.
Employers cannot remove every difficulty their people may experience, but they can help create a culture in which people feel able to speak up, seek support and know where to turn when things become difficult.
Providing access to an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), alongside appropriate wellbeing initiatives and effective signposting, can form an important part of that support framework.
An EAP can provide employees with confidential emotional and practical support, helping people to address difficulties before they become overwhelming.
It is important, however, to recognise that an EAP is not an emergency or crisis response service.
If someone is in immediate danger, has seriously harmed themselves, or there is an immediate risk to life, call 999 or go to the nearest A&E department. In England, urgent mental health support can also be accessed by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.
Supporting Someone Doesn’t Mean Having All the Answers
When somebody confides in us, it can be natural to feel that we need to find the right words or somehow solve the problem… We don’t.
Often, some of the most helpful things we can do are notice when something doesn’t seem right, ask how the person is feeling, listen, take their concerns seriously and encourage them towards appropriate support.
Supporting somebody who is experiencing significant emotional distress can also affect our own wellbeing. Those providing support should remember to look after themselves and seek help when they need it too.
Breaking the Silence
Suicide prevention isn’t only about responding when somebody reaches crisis point. It is also about creating families, communities and workplaces where people feel able to say when they are struggling and where asking for help is accepted and encouraged.
A conversation with a colleague, friend or family member might feel like a small gesture, but to somebody going through an incredibly difficult time, it could make a significant difference.
Reach out. Listen without judgement. Take people seriously. Encourage support.
At Life & Progress, we believe proactive people support matters. Through Employee Assistance Programmes and wider workplace wellbeing services, organisations can help ensure their people know that confidential support is available when life’s challenges become difficult to manage.
Sept26, E&OE
