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Supporting someone at risk of self-harm or suicide

Are you caring for someone who has a mental health condition? One in four people experience poor mental health at some time in their lives. Caring sometimes involves looking after someone who is in a mental health crisis. They may also be at risk of self-harm or be having suicidal thoughts.

Are you worried about someone?

If you’re worried about someone, try to get them to talk to you.

  • Don’t worry about not having all the answers. Showing someone that you care is the most helpful thing you can do. Ask how they are, listen to what they have to say and take them seriously.
  • Ask them if they have a safety plan. 
  • Make caring statements and ask open-ended questions like. “I’ve noticed that you seem a bit down. How have you been feeling?”
  • Let them do most of the talking.
  • Offer support rather than advice.
  • Help them to think about other options.
  • Be open about your concerns. If you think they are having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, ask them. Asking about suicide will not put the idea into someone’s head.

Here are few resources that may help you work things through:

What to do in a crisis

Call 999 if you, or someone you know is very ill, injured or their life is at risk.

Are you worried about someone’s mental health? Call the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24-hour urgent mental health helpline. Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. Family, friends and carers can all call this helpline.

Organisations that can help

If it is not a crisis, Suicide Prevention Charities can also help via helplines.

CALM: Campaign Against Living Miserably

This charity works to stop male suicide. It has a helpline open daily from 5.00pm to midnight.

Papyrus: Prevention of Youth Suicide

This organisation has a ‘Hopeline’ which is open 9.00am – midnight everyday.

Shout: For support in crisis

They have a text service that is free. It works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope.

Support for family members and carers

Supporting a person who is having suicidal thoughts can be emotionally draining and stressful. It is important to look after yourself and find support. If possible, try to find time away from caring. You could:

  • Talk to friends and family
  • Talk to your own doctor
  • Keep doing the things you enjoy.
  • Take time out for yourself to help you feel you are getting a break. Try exercise or go for a walk. You could try mindfulness techniques. Or you could try reading a book, listening to music or doing so mindfulness colouring.
  • Find out what local support can help. 
  • Try Talking Therapies if you have anxiety, low mood or depression.

Safety plans

Recovery from a mental health condition takes support. Patients, medical staff, families and carers should work together.

A safety plan helps a patient to plan. This includes coping strategies, activities and sources of support. Safety plans help to prevent or manage a crisis. The patient should get a copy of their safety plan. Wherever possible, their family member or carer should get a copy too. See more information below.

If you are being supported by one of our mental health services you can ask them to find out more.

You can also create your own safety plan using the links below.

Staying safe from suicidal thoughts
Help someone create a 'safety plan' - Samaritans website.

How do we involve a family member or carer in safety planning?

We try to include family members or carers in the safety planning of patients, where possible. This is so the best response can be agreed if a developing crisis occurs. It is important for the family member or carer to get a copy of the safety plan. But this will rely on the patient giving consent to share information.