World Suicide Prevention Day



Posted 10/08/2024





World Suicide Prevention Day is hosted on 10 September each year by the International Association for Suicide Prevention and provides the opportunity for people, across the globe, to raise awareness of suicide and suicide prevention.



What is Suicide?



Suicide is when someone ends their own life. It’s a very tragic response to difficult situations and feelings, perhaps most tragic because it is preventable. Thousands of people in the UK end their lives by suicide each year.


Having suicidal thoughts doesn’t mean that someone has a mental illness, but there is a connection between mental ill health and suicidal thoughts. Suicidal thoughts and feelings can be complex, frightening, confusing and lonely.


There is no single reason for why people die by suicide. Social, psychological and cultural factors can contribute to a person being at greater risk of suicide.


Learning about the possible risk factors linked to suicidal thoughts, along with how it can be prevented, may help you save a life. This may be someone else’s, or it may be your own life.



Risk factors



There is no single reason why people die by suicide. People think of suicide for many different reasons. Sociological, economical, psychological and genetic factors can contribute to a person being at greater risk of suicide.


A risk factor might include:

  • difficult life events, such as a traumatic childhood or experiencing physical or emotional abuse,
  • something upsetting or life changing such as a relationship ending or a loved one dying,
  • misusing drugs or alcohol,
  • living alone or having little social contact with other people,
  • having a mental health condition such as depression
  • self-harming,
  • having a physical health condition, especially if this causes chronic pain or serious disability,
  • problems with work or money,
  • being a young person, or
  • being a middle-aged man


Gender and suicide risk



Men are at greater risk of suicide than women. While suicide rates vary across the UK, men have accounted for more deaths by suicide than women in each nation.



The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) state that:



The suicide rate for males in England and Wales is the highest rate for males since 1999. Increased to 17.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2023, from 16.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022.



The suicide rate for females in England and Wales is the highest rate for females since 1994. Increased to 5.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023, from 5.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2022.



The age-specific suicide rate was highest for males aged 45 to 49 years (25.5 deaths per 100,000), and for females aged 50 to 54 years (9.2 deaths per 100,000).



It’s only partially understood why men are more likely to die by suicide than women. Research carried out by Samaritans found that:



Men tend to choose more lethal methods compared to women



Social expectations of masculinity may mean that men are less likely to seek help for suicidal thoughts compared to women



Men are significantly more affected by relationship breakdowns compared to women



An under-researched area is suicide among transgender and non-binary people. According to the LGBTQIA+ charity Stonewall, almost half of trans people, 46%, have thought about taking their life in the last year. Trans and non-binary people have to deal with specific risk factors as a minority community, such as stigma, prejudice and discrimination. Their experiences challenge current assumptions in our understanding of gender influencing suicide risk.



What to say to someone who may be at risk of suicide



If you think that someone may be feeling suicidal, encourage them to talk about how they are feeling. You may feel uncomfortable talking about suicidal feelings.


You may not know what to say. This is entirely normal and understandable. It might help to:

  • Let them know that you care about them and that they are not alone
  • Empathise with them – you could say something like, “I can’t imagine how painful this is for you, but I would like to try to understand”
  • Be non-judgemental and don’t criticise or blame them
  • Repeat their words back to them in your own words – this shows that you are listening, and repeating information can also make sure that you’ve understood them properly
  • Ask about their reasons for living and dying and listen to their answers – try to explore their reasons for living in more detail
  • Ask if they have felt like this before and if so, ask how their feelings changed last time
  • Reassure them that they will not feel this way forever
  • Encourage them to focus on getting through the day rather than focussing on the future
  • Ask them if they have a plan for ending their life and ask what the plan is
  • Encourage them to seek help that they are comfortable with such as help from a doctor or counsellor such as your Counsellor at PCS.
  • Follow up any commitments that you agree to
  • Make sure someone is with them if they are in immediate danger
  • Try to get professional help for the person feeling suicidal
  • Get support for yourself


Remember that you don’t need to find an answer, or even to completely understand why they feel the way they do.


Listening to what they have to say will at least let them know you care.


If you’re not sure that someone is feeling suicidal, ask:

  • “Are you thinking about suicide?” or
  • “Are you having thoughts of ending your life?”

These questions are direct. It is better to address the person’s feelings directly rather than avoiding the issue. Remember that asking about suicide won’t make it more likely to happen.



Warning signs that someone may be at risk of suicide



A change in someone’s personality and behaviour might be a sign that they are having suicidal thoughts. You may be the best judge of when someone you know is behaving differently. Changes can include:


  • Becoming anxious
  • Being more irritable
  • Being more confrontational
  • Becoming quiet
  • Having mood swings
  • Acting recklessly
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Not wanting to be around other people
  • Avoiding contact with friends and family
  • Having different problems with work or studies
  • Saying negative things about themselves


There are some indicators that suggest someone is more likely to attempt suicide. These include:

  • Threatening to hurt or kill themselves
  • Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
  • Thanking you, or saying sorry to you for no apparent reason
  • Preparing to end their life, such as storing up medication
  • Putting affairs in order such as giving away belongings or making a will

Signs that something is wrong can sometimes be more difficult to spot. Such as a cheeriness which may seem fake to you. Or they may joke about their emotions, such as saying something quite alarming that is disguised as a joke.


Don’t ignore your gut feeling if you are concerned about someone. Some people won’t be open about how they are feeling. A lot of people try to seek help before attempting suicide by telling other people about their feelings. This could be a professional, friend or family member.


If someone tells you about how they are feeling don’t ignore them.




If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek professional support. Contact your:

  • GP and ask for an emergency appointment
  • Counsellor at PCS immediately
  • Local NHS 111 service


Suicide Awareness Training



There is a free course which has been commissioned by Mersey Care, which will give you skills to talk about suicide. The information is below:



About the course



This short online Suicide Awareness Training will help you gain skills and confidence to help someone who may be considering suicide.



Who it's for



The training is recommended for anyone aged 16 and over. Anyone can learn how to have a potentially life-saving conversation.



What you'll learn



How to spot suicide warning signs. How to have a conversation with someone you’re worried about. Where to signpost to for further support. Suicide is preventable.



How long it will take



This training takes approximately 20 minutes to complete, and you will get a certificate when you have completed the training.



Virtual Drop-in Clinic





If you are feeling a little down, worried about the current pandemic, or just looking to let off some steam; our counsellor is now providing virtual drop-in sessions every Tuesday.


Issues or concerns discussed with Jaime do not need to be work related; but could include home life, relationship, or health concerns.


We want you to be assured that the counsellor here at PCS is there to listen to you in a confidential, safe and secure space.


This service is completely confidential and free to all our Staff.



PCS (Personal Care Services) Ltd



West Lancashire Investment Centre, Maple View, White Moss Business Park, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 9TG.

Tel: 01695 553930 | Email: enquiries@personal-careservices.co.uk

CQC Registration No.: 1-102477663




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