Emergency situations
Have they injured themselves or taken an overdose? Are they at immediate risk of hurting themselves or taking their life?
Call 999 and ask for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E.
For places to call and face-to-face support in an emotional crisis, visit Need urgent help?
Samaritans also has 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. Look for changes in their behaviour, like not wanting to be around others, talking about feeling hopeless, or using more alcohol or drugs. 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
It’s also possible that someone can deliberately try to hide the signs that they are feeling suicidal. Or, without much warning, some people can find their emotions suddenly reach breaking point when life stresses become too much.
Starting the conversation
Talking about suicide can be hard, but it’s really important. Here’s how to start:
- Be direct but kind: Ask questions like, “How are you really feeling?” or “Are you thinking about hurting yourself?”
- Listen carefully: Let them talk and don’t judge. Just listening can help a lot.
- Encourage help: Suggest they talk to a mental health professional and offer to help them connect with one.
Remember, talking about it can make it less likely to happen, not more, and it could come as a relief to be able to talk about it.
If they have a crisis or safety plan with Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust (LYPFT) you could help them to follow it and contact a mental health crisis team. If not, help them call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. Ideally, they should be aware of your call and willing to speak themselves.
When to get more help
Sometimes, you might need to get extra help:
- 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, stay calm, and ensure they are in a safe place. Remove any items they could use to harm themselves. Encourage them to call a support service if it feels easier for them to talk to a stranger. Stay with them until they are 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.
Do you need more support?
Helping someone in crisis can be distressing. Make sure you:
- set boundaries to protect your own mental health
- get support from friends, family, or a professional if you need it
- take time to do things that help you relax and feel better
For more tips and resources to take care of yourself visit 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.