Suicide Prevention

Many of us struggle with difficult thoughts and feelings. Sometime these feelings can be overwhelming and you may have thoughts about self-harm or suicide.

You are not alone. It may help to discuss how you are feeling with a helpline, text service, professional person, or even a loved one. We have many resources to help you cope with this difficult time.

How can I cope with suicidal thoughts?

There are a few things that may help you cope in this moment:

Getting through the next few minutes
It may be helpful to just get through the next few minutes, taking each minute at a time. Reward yourself for each minute passed. You can and you will get through this.
Remove anything you could use to harm yourself
Move to a safe space if you feel unsafe or unsure about being alone. Remove any items around you that you may use to harm yourself. You could ask a loves one to help you if this is possible. If you feel that you cannot be left alone, consider going to a friend’s house or meeting someone in a place that you feel comfortable.
Follow your safety/crisis plan
If you have a safety or crisis plan already in place, take the time to look at this and follow it. If you do not have a safety or crisis plan, National MIND have a guide to help you create one for the future.

How can I support someone else in a crisis?

The most important thing you can do to support someone who is experiencing suicidal feelings is to listen without judgment. You may have had similar past experiences, but remember that we are all individuals and someone may experience thoughts/feelings differently to you. We cannot truly know what is going on inside someone’s mind, but can be there to support them.

In an emergency

If someone has attempted suicide, call 999 and stay with them until an ambulance arrives.

If you are worried that someone is at immediate risk of taking their own life, you should do the following (if possible):

Remove anything that the person could use to harm themselves.
Stay with them.
Get emergency help, call 999.

Gently encourage them to talk about their feelings

Ask open questions
This invites an open conversation rather than questions that answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. You may want to ask things like “How has that made you feel?”
Give them time
Silence can be helpful for them to process what they are going through. Give the person the time they need to express themselves.
Take them seriously
There is a lot of stigma around suicidal thoughts; avoid the idea that they are ‘faking it’ or ‘doing it for attention’.
Try not to judge
You may feel upset, frightened, or event angry. It is important to stay calm and not blame the person for how they are feeling. It is a big step talking to someone about suicidal thoughts, so be mindful of this.
Don’t skirt around the topic
You may need to ask them directly if they are planning on ending their life. Ask questions such as “”Have you been having suicidal thoughts?” or “Have you made plans to end your life?” This may be upsetting, but it means that people can understand that talking about suicide is okay and they can be open about the topic.

Encourage them to seek professional support

This may be directing them towards support such as:

Discussing their mental health with their GP.
Contact a helpline or listening service that may be able to provide extra support (see our support pack here).
Find a support group or reach out for peer support. See what activities are available at South Kent Mind and how we can help.
Contact a crisis service, such as Samaritans on 116 123, or find a local crisis drop-in. Find more urgent help here.

Help them to make a support plan

Making a support plan can help both you and the person you are providing support to. A support plan may outline how they would like to be supported and what might help in situations like these. It is a useful tool for the future, should they be going through another mental health crisis. National MIND have a guide on how to create a support plan here.