Helping a suicidal friend or relative
When someone is suicidal it may be tempting to tell them what to do and offer advice and solutions. You may feel like sharing your own experiences or try and cheer the person up.
However, you can help the most by just listening to what the person has to say.
Often the person is trying desperately to make sense of their situation or to change it in some way. They often feel isolated and unheard. By showing your concern and caring enough to become involved you can help to person express their concerns and feelings.
The aim is to try to see the world as the person sees it, to ‘stand in their shoes’.
Seek to understand and validate the person’s perspective, without judging, criticising or blaming.
Let the person know that you care about them and that they are not alone
If there is immediate danger, stay with them, or have someone else stay with them
- Get professional help for the person at risk and support for yourself
- Offer your support in finding alternative solutions
- Remove all available means to suicide.
National Advice Service Factsheets
The information in this section is taken from the NAS factsheet, which you can download in pdf format and print for individual use.
Suicide prevention factsheet
