Suicide prevention

Are you concerned that someone close to you is considering taking their own life?

Have you noticed changes in their attitude and behaviour?

Has someone you know attempted suicide?

Would you like to know how to help them stay safe and seek help?

It is distressing to realise that someone close to you may be considering suicide.

You can prevent suicide and help the identify signs to look for, decide what to do and where you
can go for help.

Most people who consider suicide get through the crisis. Family, friends and professionals can make a big
difference in helping people stay safe and re-establish reasons for living.

Why does someone consider suicide?

People considering suicide often feel very isolated and alone. They may feel that nobody can help them or
understand them. They believe that suicide is the only way out of the difficulties that they are experiencing.
Having a mental health problem does not mean a person will have thoughts of suicide – many don’t.

However, mental health problems can affect the way people view situations. They affect motivation and
openness to seek help, therefore we need to be particularly aware of the vulnerability to suicide that people experiencing mental illness can have.