We know it can be daunting, but talking about suicide doesn’t have to be difficult and you don’t need to be an expert. Being open and ready to have that conversation can help to save someone’s life.

For World Suicide Prevention Day, Hull and East Yorkshire and North East Lincolnshire Mind are raising awareness of suicide prevention, by sharing a range of tips, and dispelling some myths that often surround suicide.

By raising awareness, and sharing tips, we can help to prevent suicides from happening in our local community.

Everyone deserves help, no matter what. Here are some tips, if you ever need to talk to someone who may feel suicidal:

• Ask open questions – These are questions that invite someone to say more than ‘yes’ or ‘no’, such as ‘How have you been feeling?’ or ‘What happened next?’ There are more ideas for open questions on the Samaritans website.
• Give them time – You might feel anxious to hear their answers, but it helps if you let them take the time they need.
• Take them seriously – People who talk about suicide do sometimes act on their feelings — it’s a common myth that they don’t. It’s best to assume that they are telling the truth about feeling suicidal.
• Try not to judge – You might feel shocked, upset or frightened, but it’s important not to blame the person for how they are feeling. They may have taken a big step by telling you.
• Don’t skirt around the topic – There is still a taboo around talking about suicide which can make it even harder for people experiencing these feelings to open up and feel understood. Direct questions about suicide like ‘Are you having suicidal thoughts?’ or ‘Have you felt like you want to end your life?’ can help someone talk about how they are feeling.

There are many myths that often surround suicide. Here are some myths that we are trying to dispel:

MYTH: If a person is seriously considering suicide there is nothing you can do? 

FACT: Most suicidal crisis are time limited. People who are contemplating suicide often do not want to die, but are experiencing unbearable pain, emotionally, physically or both. Solutions can be found with the help of concerned individuals who support them through the crisis period.

MYTH: If you ask a person about their suicidal thoughts, you will encourage the person to kill themselves?

FACT: Asking someone directly about their suicidal feelings will often lower their anxiety level and act as a deterrent. The crisis and resulting emotional distress will already have triggered the thought in a vulnerable person. Your openness and concern in asking about suicide will allow the person experiencing pain to talk about the problems which may reduce his or her anxiety. This may also allow the person with suicidal thoughts to feel less lonely or isolated and perhaps a bit relieved.

MYTH: People who talk about suicide don’t complete suicide?

FACT: Eight out of 10 people who take their own lives give definite warning signs of their suicidal intentions. People who make suicidal attempts and threats must be taken seriously.

MYTH: A person who is thinking about suicide will always be suicidal?

FACT: Most people who are at risk feel suicidal for only a brief period in their lives. With proper assistance and support they will probably never be suicidal again.

MYTH: Suicidal people rarely seek medical attention?

FACT: About 75% of suicidal people visit a medical professional within three months of a suicide attempt.  Again, it’s very important to take an individual seriously.

MYTH: Suicide happens without warning?

FACT: Suicidal persons may give warning clues regarding their suicidal intentions. Alertness to these help seeking behaviours may prevent suicidal behaviour.

Useful numbers

For local crisis numbers or support helplines, please click here.

Together for those bereaved by suicide

We are also working with Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership on a new service to support local people who have been bereaved by suicide. The Together service is here for people of all ages across Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire. It offers free emotional and practical support to individuals of any age who have lost someone to suicide.

If you or someone you know needs some help, get in touch with us 24 hours a day on 01482 240133 or Freephone 0800 138 0990. You can also text us 07520 633447 or email us at [email protected]

We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect.

FREE Suicide Prevention Training from #TalkSuicide

The #TalkSuicide campaign has been created by the Humber, Coast and Vale Health and Care Partnership to reduce the stigma around talking about suicide by raising awareness of free suicide prevention training available from the Zero Suicide Alliance. In 20 minutes, learn how to spot the signs when someone is suicidal, how to speak to someone about suicide, and how to signpost them to professional help.

To take the training click here.