Suicide awareness

Suicide Facts and Figures

• Each day around 16 people take their life in the UK and Ireland.
• In the UK, men are three times as likely to take their own lives than women.
• In the UK, the highest suicide rate for men is aged 45-49 and for women aged 50-54.

(Samaritans Suicide Statistics Report 2023)

If you are feeling suicidal, there are people you can talk to:

• speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust
• call the Samaritans 24-hour support service on 116 123
• go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you are feeling
• contact NHS 111 and select mental health option
• make an urgent appointment to see your GP
• there are further details of other organisations at the bottom of this page that can also offer support

If someone tells you that they are feeling suicidal:

It is completely understandable that when the person you care for is feeling suicidal, you will do everything in your power to keep them safe.

• Reach out and start the conversation – “you don’t seem like yourself”, “How are you?” Ask twice as you may get a more honest response. Don’t worry about saying the wrong thing. People who have felt suicidal will often say what a huge relief it was to be able to talk about what they were experiencing.
• Ask questions to understand more and reassure them that they matter and you don’t need to rush off. Tell them you have time to listen.
• Ask about suicide “Are you having thoughts about suicide?” “Are you thinking about ending your life?” Be prepared that the answer may be yes. Evidence shows asking someone if they’re suicidal can protect them
• Giving your full attention and listening is extremely powerful and helpful. You don’t have to have all the answers, or know how they feel.
• Empathise with them and avoid blame. Try not to judge or give advice.
• Validation – acknowledging and accepting another person’s emotions, thoughts and experiences. The most important thing in moments of crisis is to have someone alongside them.
• Reassure them that it will not always be like this, and that intensity of feelings can reduce in time. Many suicide attempts are impulsive. Delaying allows time for those intense feelings to subside.
• Get help – encourage them to seek help that they are comfortable with. For example, help from a doctor or counsellor, or support through a crisis charity such as the Samaritans.

For more information, please see It’s Ok To Talk About Suicide leaflet

Free online training courses teach you the skills and confidence to have a potentially lifesaving conversation with someone you are worried about. You can access this training for free at ZSA suicide awareness training courses

You can find further information about suicide prevention work across Torbay and Devon from the links below:

• Suicide prevention – Torbay Council
• Suicide prevention in Devon 
• Suicide prevention: Everybody’s business

The Stay Alive App has been created to provide useful information and tools to help keep you and those you care about safe. To find out more and to download the app, please visit https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/

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