Emergency situations
If someone has injured themselves, taken an overdose, or you think they’re at immediate risk of suicide:
- Call 999 straight away or go to your nearest A&E.
- If you’re not with them, you can request a welfare check by calling 999 and giving their location.
For urgent emotional support, visit our Need urgent help?
page. Samaritans also have helpful information on what to do if you think it’s an emergency.
Spotting the signs
It’s important to know the signs that someone might be thinking about suicide. Not everyone shows warning signs, and sometimes people hide how they feel – but changes in behaviour can be a clue.
Some signs to watch for are:
- talking about death or wanting to die
- expressing feelings of hopelessness
- believing that nothing will improve or change
- believing that everything is their fault
- feeling worthless or like a burden to others
- pulling away from friends and family
- engaging in harmful activities like drug use or excessive drinking
- looking for ways to end their life, such as hoarding pills
- making a will, giving away possessions, or saying goodbye
- appearing unusually calm or happy after a period of depression
Remember: some people can reach crisis point suddenly, especially when life stresses build up.
Starting the conversation
Talking about suicide can be hard, but it’s really important. Here’s how to start:
- Be direct but kind: ask, “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “How are you really feeling?”
- Listen carefully: give them space to talk and don’t judge. Just listening can help a lot.
- Encourage help: suggest professional support and offer to help them make contact.
Talking openly about suicide does not put the idea in someone’s head – it can reduce risk and help them feel less alone.
If they have a crisis or safety plan (for example with Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust (LYPFT), encourage them to follow it. If not, help them call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. Ideally, they should be aware of your call and willing to speak themselves.
If the person is open to it, you could also try calming techniques together. See our Find ways to calm or distract yourself page for simple strategies like breathing exercises and grounding.
Other resources
Creating Hope Through Language
The West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention Programme has created a language advice guide called ‘Creating Hope Through Language‘, offering advice on what to say/what not to say.
Warning signs and what to say
Guidance, called the Ask, Assist, Act, provides information about the signs that someone might be feeling suicidal and what you can say to help them. It has been created by MECC Link – Making Every Contact Count (MECC) Community of Improvement, a network supported by Yorkshire and Humber Public Health.
Leeds City Council
Suicide Prevention – Guidance for frontline workers and volunteers – This guidance was produced by Leeds City Council’s public mental health team to support people in Leeds to help them feel more confident to talk to someone about suicide.
’20 minutes to save a life’ video
Watch a 20-minute suicide awareness video from Zero Suicide Alliance (viewable on smart phones).
When to get more help
Get urgent professional help if:
- if the person has tried to hurt themselves
- if they have a plan to end their life
- if they refuse help and you think they are in danger
If someone has hurt themselves and you think their injuries are life-threatening, call an ambulance on 999. You can do this whether you are with them in person or not. You will need to be able to give a location. Or go directly to your nearest A&E.
While waiting for help to arrive:
- Stay calm and keep them safe
- Remove items they could use to harm themselves
- Encourage them to call a support service, if that feels easier
- Stay with them until they’re seen by a mental health team
If you’re unable to be with them and are very concerned, call the ambulance service to request a welfare check.
Taking care of yourself
Helping someone in crisis can be very distressing. Remember to:
- set boundaries to protect your own wellbeing
- talk to friends, family, or a professional for support
- take time to do things that help you relax and feel better
For more tips, see our section on Looking after your wellbeing.
Tips from Leeds Suicide Prevention Network
When talking to someone in crisis with suicidal thoughts, simply directing them to services can sometimes do more harm than good if done in the wrong way. Genuine human empathy can do more to help than finding somewhere to “pass” them to ever will. Help someone navigate extra support but ensure you hold space for them too. In particular:
- Help someone to be safe for now (in whatever way works for them).
- Ensure people feel in control of this process. Taking control away at this time can cause more distress.
- Be mindful of becoming desensitised to suicide and ensure that staff working in these areas are protected from emotional burnout.
For more lived experience perspectives listen to the Surviving Crisis podcast series coproduced by Leeds Mind Suicide Prevention Volunteers, who all have lived experience of being impacted by suicide.
Notes from the Leeds Suicide Prevention Network (LSPN) meeting, July 2024, by Jules Stimson, Network Chair.
Downloadable resources
Download, print and carry our foldable crisis resource with you – or pop it on your fridge for easy reach. It includes all essential local crisis support. You can also view it as a web page to translate into over 100 different languages.
Finding support in a mental health crisis
Download our ‘Spotting the Signs’ poster to help recognise signs that someone may be having suicidal thoughts. It’s available in two formats: a digital version and a print-friendly version with a white background.
