Published in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month in September and World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.

If you or someone you know needs urgent help, support is available. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. You can also call Samaritans free on 116 123, day or night.

Every September, Suicide Prevention Month is an opportunity to learn more about suicide prevention, recognise warning signs and know where to turn for support. World Suicide Prevention Day is observed globally on 10 September. In 2026, its theme is “Changing the narrative on suicide’, with the call to action ‘Start the Conversation’.

Talking openly and compassionately about suicide can help challenge stigma and make it easier for people to ask for help. Asking someone directly if they are thinking about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts or behaviour. A caring conversation can give someone space to talk about what they are experiencing and connect with support.

Understanding suicide risk

Suicide is complex and is rarely linked to one circumstance. According to the World Health Organization, a combination of individual, relationship, community and health factors can contribute to a person’s risk.

Having risk factors does not mean someone will attempt suicide. However, concerns should always be taken seriously.

Learning the warning signs of suicide can help you recognise when someone may need additional support.

Warning signs of suicide

Not everyone shows the same warning signs. Mind advises that changes in a friend, family member, colleague or someone else in your life may be a reason to check in.

Warning signs can include:

• Talking about wanting to die
• Expressing hopelessness or feeling like a burden to others
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Giving away important possessions or saying goodbye
• Taking dangerous risks
• Experiencing significant changes in mood, sleep or eating
• Using alcohol or drugs more often

Warning signs may be new or may have become more noticeable recently. Someone may also experience suicidal thoughts without showing obvious signs. If you’re concerned about someone, take what you’re seeing or hearing seriously and reach out.

How to help someone with suicidal thoughts

You don’t need to be a mental health professional to support someone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Listening without judgement, taking their feelings seriously and helping them access further support can all help.

There is no single right way to help, as everyone’s needs and circumstances are different. However, Samaritans recommends several practical ways to support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts.

If you think someone is in immediate danger, call an ambulance on 999. If it is safe to do so, stay with them while you seek urgent help.

1. Ask directly

If you’re concerned about someone, it’s OK to ask directly: ‘Are you thinking about suicide?’

Asking about suicide can give someone permission to talk openly about what they’re experiencing. If they tell you they are having suicidal thoughts, take them seriously. You don’t need to solve their problems. Being willing to listen and offer support can help.

2. Be there and listen without judgement

Give the person space to express how they feel, if they want to. Try asking open questions and listening without offering immediate advice, dismissing their feelings or telling them what you think they should do.

Sometimes, simply sitting with someone in silence or helping with a practical task can help them feel supported. If it feels appropriate, you can also remind them that they matter to you, without making them feel guilty or responsible for how others might feel.

3. Help them create a safety plan

A safety plan can help someone recognise when they may be approaching a crisis and identify steps they can take to stay safe.

The plan might include:

• Warning signs they have noticed before
• Coping strategies they can try
• People and places they can turn to
• Contact details for healthcare professionals and support services
• Ways to make it harder for them to harm themselves

You can offer to create the plan together, but each step should feel manageable to the person and remain their choice.

4. Help them build a support network

You do not have to support someone alone. With their permission, help them identify trusted friends, relatives, healthcare professionals or community services they can turn to.

Sharing responsibility among several people can help the person receive more consistent support while recognising the limits of what any one person can provide.

5. Help them find additional support

Encourage the person to contact their GP, a mental health service or another trusted source of support. You could offer to sit with them while they make the call or help them find the right contact details.

Samaritans can be reached free on 116 123 at any time, day or night. In England, people who need urgent mental health support but are not in immediate danger can also use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option.

6. Agree how you will keep in touch

If possible, ask the person how and when they would like you to check in. You might agree to send a message, speak on the phone or meet at regular intervals.

If they are not ready to talk, do not pressure them. You can continue to let them know you are there and that they are not a burden.

7. Look after yourself too

Supporting someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts can be distressing. Give yourself time to rest and process what has happened, and be honest about how much support you are able to provide.

It is OK to set boundaries or step back when you need to. Creating a wider support network can help the person receive ongoing support without placing the responsibility on you alone.

Common myths about suicide

Misunderstandings about suicide can make it harder to talk openly or ask for help. Trusted suicide prevention resources from organisations such as Samaritans, Mind and the World Health Organization can help challenge common myths and make supportive conversations feel more approachable.

• Myth: ‘Asking about suicide will put the idea in someone’s head.’ Research shows that asking someone directly about suicidal thoughts does not cause or increase those thoughts. WHO also explains that asking about suicide can help someone feel understood and make it easier to identify when someone needs support.
• Myth: ‘People who talk about suicide don’t really mean it.’ Talk about suicide should always be taken seriously. Samaritans addresses this and other common myths about suicide, including the misconception that people who talk about suicide aren’t serious.
• Myth: ‘Suicide only affects certain kinds of people.’ Suicide can affect people across many backgrounds and circumstances. WHO explains that suicide occurs in all regions of the world and can affect people at different stages of life.
• Myth: ‘There’s nothing I can do to help.’ You don’t need to have every answer to offer support. Samaritans provides guidance on supporting someone with suicidal thoughts, including asking directly, listening, helping them stay safe and connecting them with additional support.

Treatment and ongoing support

Help is available for people experiencing suicidal thoughts or other mental health challenges.

Depending on someone’s needs, professional support may include talking therapies, medication, safety planning or other forms of care. A qualified healthcare professional can help determine which options may be appropriate. Mind provides more information about treatment and support for suicidal thoughts.

A safety plan can help someone identify warning signs, coping strategies, people they can contact and professional resources they can turn to during difficult moments.

Recovery and ongoing care look different for everyone. People who experience suicidal thoughts can receive support and go on to live full lives.

How to take part in Suicide Prevention Month

Suicide Prevention Month can be an opportunity to learn, connect and take action in ways that feel meaningful to you.

Here are a few ways to get involved:

• Learn the warning signs. Knowing what to look for can help you recognise when someone may need support.
• Check in with someone. A genuine conversation can give someone space to share how they’re feeling.
• Share trusted suicide prevention resources. Sharing accurate information from organisations such as Samaritans, Mind, the NHS and WHO can help more people know where to turn.
• Learn about World Suicide Prevention Day. World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on 10 September and is an opportunity to challenge stigma and encourage open, compassionate conversations about suicide.
• Support mental health and suicide prevention charities. Many organisations provide crisis support, education, advocacy, community programmes and support for people affected by suicide, including people who have lost someone to suicide and people who may be at risk.
• Volunteer with a suicide prevention organisation. Organisations working in suicide prevention may offer opportunities to donate, volunteer, take part in community events, support advocacy or help raise awareness.

Support suicide prevention through fundraising

For some people, taking action during Suicide Prevention Month may include fundraising for a person, family, community or organisation.

A suicide prevention fundraiser could support a charity working in suicide prevention, mental health or community education. Fundraisers can also support families facing mental health-related expenses or coping with the loss of someone they love.

If fundraising feels right for you, you can donate to or share an existing fundraiser. You can also start a GoFundMe to bring your community together around a cause that matters to you.

Before supporting a fundraiser, take time to understand its purpose and how the organiser plans to use the funds.

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Support or volunteer with suicide prevention organisations

You don’t have to start a fundraiser to contribute during Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide prevention and mental health organisations work throughout the year on support, research, education, advocacy and community programmes.

Depending on the organisation, you may be able to donate, volunteer, take part in an awareness event, support advocacy efforts or help share trusted suicide prevention resources.

You can explore organisations such as Samaritans, which provides emotional support and suicide prevention services, and Mind, which provides mental health information and support in England and Wales.

Choose an organisation or form of participation that fits the time and support you’re able to give. Even sharing reliable information with your community can help more people know where to find support.

Where to find suicide prevention support

Reliable suicide prevention resources can help you find support, learn more or help someone else.

• Emergency help: If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
• Samaritans: Call 116 123 free, day or night, for someone to listen without judgement.
• NHS urgent mental health support: Find information about mental health services and getting urgent help. In England, NHS 111 can also help with urgent mental health needs that are not emergencies.
• Mind: Useful contacts for suicidal thoughts: Find UK-facing information about organisations and services that may be able to help.
• World Health Organization: Find international information about suicide prevention, risk factors and supporting someone who may be struggling.

Connection and support can make a difference

Suicide Prevention Month is a reminder of the value of compassionate conversation and connection. Learning the warning signs, checking in with people you care about and knowing where to find reliable support can make those conversations easier.

You don’t need to have every answer to reach out. Helping can begin with asking a question, listening to the response and supporting someone as they find the help they need.

Sources and further reading

For additional information about suicide prevention and mental health support, explore these trusted resources:

Source	What you’ll find
World Health Organization (WHO)	International information about suicide, risk factors and prevention, including guidance on supporting someone with suicidal thoughts and information about World Suicide Prevention Day.
Samaritans	Practical guidance on supporting someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, creating a safety plan, understanding common myths and finding confidential emotional support.
Mind	UK-facing information about suicidal thoughts, including warning signs, treatment, self-care, supporting someone else and useful support contacts.
NHS	Information about mental health services in England, including how to find urgent mental health support and when to use NHS 111.
PubMed	Research examining whether asking someone about suicide or suicide-related behaviours increases suicidal thoughts or distress.

This article is for general educational purposes and isn’t a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have questions about suicide risk, prevention or support, speak with a qualified healthcare professional. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. You can also call Samaritans free on 116 123, day or night.