You can play a part. If you follow this guide you may be able to save a life. Choose Life is
yourself, as directly and clearly as possible. Their reaction will Tell you if they can help. Don’t stop at one person, even if they can help. Find several people who take you seriously and are willing to help.
Ask: Once you have any suspicion or ‘gut instinct that something is wrong’, that someone might be thinking about suicide, Ask them exactly that, as directly, clearly and as soon as possible. Ask if they are thinking about killing themselves. Don’t let anything distract you from Asking.
Listen: Encourage the person at risk to Talk by being a good Listener. If you can’t Listen to what they say, they likely won’t Talk. It is likely that they have not Talked to
Tell: If you have thoughts of suicide, Tell someone exactly what you are saying to anyone about suicide, although they may have tried many times. Their Talking to someone who is really Listening can be very helpful, all by itself. (Being a good Listener means Listening attentively and not making any judgements about what they are talking about).
Keep Safe: Now is Not to solve all of the problems. Now is the time to do something that keeps the person at risk Safe. Do not promise secrecy. Remove items that might be used to complete a suicide.
Get help!
Remember never put yourself at risk.
If an emergency – call the police.
Emergency Numbers:
- Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87
- Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90
- Childline: 0800 11 11
- Addiction Recovery Centre: 0141 776 3887 (24hr Crisis Helpline)
- Cruse Bereavement Care: 0141 776 7999 (Support group for people bereaved by suicide)
- Rape crisis: 0141 552 3200
- Sandyford Initiative: 0141 211 6700 (Counselling and sexual health services)
- Out of Hours CPN Crisis Team, 8pm-8am: 0845 6500 1730
- S O B S, 9am-9pm: 0870 241 3337 (Survivors of Bereavement by suicide)