Suicide Prevention Quick Guide

This quick guide provides a framework to help you recognise the signs, assess risk, and take appropriate action. Remember your intervention can make a significant difference.

Key Principles

• Talking helps: You won’t make things worse by discussing suicide. People often want to escape their pain, not die.
• Don’t handle it alone: Always seek support from your peers or supervisors when dealing with suicide risk.

Assessing the Risk

1. Intention:
   • How often are they thinking about suicide? Is it a passing thought or a serious intention?
2. Time Frame:
   • When do they plan to act on their thoughts? Is it immediate or in the distant future?
3. Means:
   • Do they have access to a method (e.g., stockpiling medication, obtaining a noose)? Access to means increases the risk.
4. Plan:
   • Do they have a specific plan? Knowing how and when they intend to act is a significant risk factor.

Warning Signs

• Black and white thinking
• High levels of self-criticism
• Hopelessness and helplessness
• Risky behaviours and lack of concern for safety
• Rigid thoughts and lack of empathy

Risk Factors

• Men aged 25-44
• History of suicide attempts
• Chronic medical conditions, particularly those involving pain
• Drug and alcohol dependencies
• Members of the LGBTQ+ community
• Serious mental illnesses (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
• Bereavement by suicide or a history of nonsuicidal self-injury

Action Steps

Stage 1 - Safety:

• Ensure Immediate Safety: If there’s an immediate risk, stay with the person and remove any means of harm if possible.
• Get Help: Don’t handle the situation alone—contact a supervisor or emergency services.

Stage 2 - Talking:

• Listen: Give them space to talk about their feelings without judgment.
• Ask Questions: Assess the risk by gently asking about their intentions, time frame, means, and plan.
• Look for Solutions: Encourage them to think of alternative solutions or ways to reduce their pain.

Stage 3 - Helping:

• Address Underlying Issues: Support them in identifying and addressing the root causes of their distress.
• Refer for Professional Help: Guide them to appropriate professional services.
• Safety Planning: Work with them to create a plan that includes steps they can take to stay safe.
• Empowerment: Focus on small, achievable steps that can restore their sense of control.

Strategies for Support

• Identify Strengths: Ask how they’ve managed to survive this far—highlight their resilience.
• Find Reasons to Live: Encourage them to think of people or things they care about.
• Reframe the Future: Help them envision positive aspects of the future.
• Distraction: Use light conversation or topics like sports to distract them momentarily from their distress.
• Quick Wins: Suggest small actions that can give them a sense of empowerment.
• Break Isolation: Invite them to social activities to reduce feelings of loneliness.

Managing Threats and Manipulation

For individuals exhibiting traits of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or using threats as a form of communication:

• Communicate Concern, Not Responsibility: Express care without taking on their responsibility.
• Set Boundaries: Keep your emotional and physical boundaries clear.
• Avoid Reinforcement: Don’t reward the behaviour with hospitalisation or constant attention unless absolutely necessary.

Useful Contacts

In an emergency

• 999: If you or someone else is in immediate danger.

Urgent mental health support (24/7)

• NHS 111: Call 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support.
• Samaritans: Free, confidential support any time. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
• Shout: Free 24/7 text support. Text SHOUT to 85258.

Emotional support and advice

• SANEline: Support for anyone affected by mental health problems. Call 0300 304 7000, 4pm–10pm every day.
• Mind: Mental health information, advice and local services at www.mind.org.uk.
• NHS Talking Therapies: Free NHS support for stress, anxiety and low mood — you can refer yourself without seeing a GP. Find your local service at www.nhs.uk.

Making a safety plan

• Staying Safe: A free website that helps you make a safety plan, with clear step-by-step videos. Make your plan online or download a blank form at www.stayingsafe.net.
• Stay Alive app: A free app from the charity Grassroots Suicide Prevention. Includes a personalised safety plan, a "LifeBox" for photos and memories, guided breathing, and links to local and national crisis support. Useful whether you're struggling yourself or worried about someone else. Download free from your app store.

Community support

• If U Care Share Foundation: Support for emotional wellbeing and for anyone affected by suicide. Call 0191 387 5661 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm) or visit www.ifucareshare.co.uk.
• Andy's Man Club: Free peer support groups for men aged 18+, every Monday 7pm–9pm (except bank holidays). No booking needed. Find your nearest group at andysmanclub.co.uk/groups.

Bereavement by suicide

• Cruse Bereavement Support: Free emotional support for anyone affected by any kind of grief, including suicide. Call 0808 808 1677 (weekdays; check www.cruse.org.uk for current hours). No minimum age to call.
• Help is at Hand: A free guide for anyone bereaved by suicide, written by people with lived experience. Covers what you might be feeling, practical matters, and where to get further support. Download or order a copy at www.supportaftersuicide.org.uk.