Suicide Prevention

What is suicide prevention?

Suicide prevention starts with recognising the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, there’s plenty you can do to help save a life.

We must all learn how to look out for one another and do our bit to help those in distress.

For anyone effected by suicide you can find further support on our bereavement page here  https://www.donnydot.co.uk/bereavement/

It can be very hard to tell if someone is thinking about suicide, especially as they will often do everything they can to hide the true situation from family and friends.

Take any suicidal talk or behaviour seriously. It’s not just a warning sign that the person is thinking about suicide—it’s a cry for help.

Most people who are thinking about suicide give warning signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognise these warning signs and know how to respond. If you believe that a friend or family member is thinking about suicide, you can play a role in suicide prevention by listening, talking and showing that you care.

Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) offer free online training courses teach you the skills and confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation with someone you’re worried about. https://zerosuicidealliance.com/training

Suicide warning signs include:

Things they are saying – Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as “There’s no point going on” “If I see you again…” and “All of my problems will end soon”

No hope for the future – Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped (“There’s no way out”). Belief that things will never get better or change.

They say they are feeling – worthlessness, guilty and ashamed. Feeling like a burden (“Everyone would be better off without me”).

Making preparations – Making out a will. Giving away possessions. Making arrangements for family members. Looking for means to hurt or kill themselves such as hoarding tablets.

Saying goodbye – Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again.

Changes in the way they are behaving – Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone. Loss of interest in things they previously enjoyed doing. Increased alcohol or drug use.

Giving away personal items  Without a clear reason of why they are giving their possessions away, this can be a warning sign that someone is making preparations to commit suicide.

I’m worried that someone may be considering taking their own life

Knowing what to look for, what to say and what you can do to help someone when they are in desperate need.

Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) offer free online training courses teach you the skills and confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation with someone you’re worried about. https://zerosuicidealliance.com/training

If a friend or family member is thinking about suicide, the best way to help is to talk with them, listen and show that you care. Let them talk and know that they are not alone.

It takes a lot of courage to help someone who is thinking about suicide. Witnessing someone dealing with thoughts about ending their own life can stir up many difficult emotions. As you’re helping a suicidal person, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Find someone that you trust – a friend, family member, or counsellor to talk to about your feelings and get support of your own.

To help a suicidal person:

Get professional help. Do everything you can to get the person who is thinking about suicide to get the help he or she needs.

Be proactive. Those thinking about suicide often don’t believe they can be helped, so you may have to be more proactive at offering assistance. Saying, “Call me if you need anything” is too vague. Don’t wait for the person to call you or even to return your calls. Drop by, call again, invite the person out.

Encourage positive lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and getting out in the sun or into nature for at least 30 minutes each day. Exercise is also extremely important as it releases endorphins, relieves stress, and promotes emotional well-being.

Make a safety plan. Help the person develop a set of steps they promise to follow when they feel in crisis. It should identify any triggers, such as an anniversary of a loss, alcohol, or stress from relationships. Also include contact numbers for people who will help in an emergency.

Continue your support. Even after the immediate crisis has passed, stay in touch with the person, call them or pop in to see them.

If a friend or family member tells you that they are thinking about suicide, it’s important to evaluate the immediate danger the person is in.

If a suicide attempt seems imminent, dial 999 or call the Doncaster Mental Health Single Point of Access line 0800 804 8999

Do not leave someone who is thinking about suicide on their own. 

There is no special language. Don’t be afraid to use terms such as ‘suicide’ and ‘killing yourself’. There is no evidence that this will make someone more likely to kill themselves but asking the question you could save a life.

Speak openly, ask direct questions and encourage them to get help and support. Being listened to will make them feel less alone.

If you spot the warning signs of suicide in someone you care about, you may wonder if it’s a good idea to say anything. What if you’re wrong? What if the person gets angry? In such situations, it’s natural to feel uncomfortable or afraid. But anyone who talks about suicide or shows other warning signs needs immediate help—the sooner the better.

Talking to a friend or family member about their suicidal thoughts and feelings can be extremely difficult for anyone. But if you’re unsure whether someone is suicidal, the best way to find out is to ask. You can’t make a person suicidal by showing that you care. Giving a suicidal person the opportunity to express their feelings can provide relief from loneliness and negative feelings, and may prevent a suicide attempt.

Ways to start a conversation about suicide:

“I have been feeling concerned about you lately.”

“I wanted to check in with you because you haven’t seemed yourself lately.”

Questions you can ask:

“When did you begin feeling like this?”

“Did something happen to make you start feeling this way?”

“How can I best support you right now?”

“Have you thought about getting help?”

What you can say that helps:

“You are not alone in this. I’m here for you.”

“You may not believe it now, but the way you’re feeling will change.”

“I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help.”

When talking to a suicidal person

Do:

Be yourself. If you are worried that someone is going to kill themself, it can feel hard to talk about. Let the person know you care, that they are not alone. Finding the right words are not nearly as important as showing your concern.

Listen.You don’t have to be an expert. You just have to listen. Talking can help people to work through their problems. It can make them feel less alone. It can encourage them to seek professional help. Most importantly, it makes them feel listened to – and that can save lives.

Show you care. Reassure that help is available and that the suicidal feelings are temporary. Let them know that their life is important to you. Nobody knows exactly what other people are going through in life. Everybody has lows and bad times and everybody responds to them differently. If we all resolve to care more about other people we can help make the world an easier place for people who are struggling with mental health problems.

Take the person seriously. If a suicidal person says things like, “I’m so depressed, I can’t go on,” ask if they’re having thoughts of suicide. You’re allowing them to share their pain with you, not putting ideas in their head.

Local Support

Find local suicide prevention support around Doncaster

A 24/7 service providing assessments to identify the most appropriate needs and services to support individuals.

In hours – Phone Mental Health Access Team/Single Point of Contact on 03000 218996 or 0800 8048999

Out of hours RDaSH

Doncaster – Freephone: 0800 804 8999

One of the trained call handlers will signpost you to the most appropriate service depending on your level of need. This may include your out of hours GP, a voluntary organisation or our Access/Crisis Team.

Hard of hearing? Deaf? Text phone service

For anyone unable to use the standard telephone line, ie hard of hearing, we also have a text phone service:

Doncaster – 07967 793815

Here 24/7 for young people in Doncaster who need urgent help for mental health crisis. could this please be put underneath the RDASH – Mental Health Single Point of Access service.

03000 218996

Tel: 0330 088 9255

Email: amparo.service@listening-ear.co.uk

Website: www.amparo.org.uk

Amparo offers assistance to those impacted by suicide, providing support tailored to individual needs. This can be in the form of one-on-one sessions, family or group settings, depending on personal preferences and circumstances. Services can be delivered at your preferred location, including your home. Access to these services requires a referral.

Email: info@andysmanclub.co.uk

Website: andysmanclub.co.uk

We are talking groups for men because… You’ve either been through a storm, currently going through a storm or have a storm brewing in your life. We meet every Monday night, except bank Holidays, at 7pm.

All that anyone wanting to attend needs to do is email.

Doncaster Armthorpe Armthorpe community centre 

20 Church St

Armthorpe 

Doncaster 

DN3 3AG

 

Doncaster Central 

Doncaster Mind

Doncaster Market Place 

Doncaster 

DN1 1NE

Tel: 0808 801 0442

Our 24/7, Doncaster Telephone Helpline offers emotional support and information to people affected by mental illness, aged 16 and over, who live in Doncaster.

When you call the helpline you will be listened to, treated with dignity and respect, supported to develop coping skills and, if useful, signposted to helpful sources of information and to other services in your area who can help you on your road to recovery.

We aim to answer your call within 3 rings, if we are busy, please do try again.

It is natural for difficult emotions to follow the experience of a bereavement by suicide. If you are struggling to come to terms with a bereavement by suicide, this therapeutic service can support you. It is delivered by Changing Lives in Doncaster on behalf of Doncaster Mind. For bereavement support of any other kind please refer to our adult and CYP therapy. 

Tel: 01302 812190

Email: office@doncastermind.org.uk

Website: www.kooth.com

Digital mental health support for those aged 10-25, living in Doncaster.

Users have instant access to self-help materials, live moderated discussion forums and tools such as online journals and goal trackers. Young people can also contribute written pieces of work reflecting their own experiences, as well as accessing drop-in or booked sessions with professional counsellors from 12pm-10pm weekdays and 6pm-10pm at weekends. Kooth is available to young people in Doncaster, across the ages of 11-25 years.

Phone: 07943 318494

Email: doncaster@uksobs.org

Meeting day: 2nd Tuesday of every month

Groups are open to anyone over 18 and create an opportunity for people to meet with others who have been bereaved by suicide so that they can share experiences and ask questions.

Tel: 07765 224564

Website: www.counsellingdoncaster.com

Providing One to One and Group Therapy. Counselling, Art Therapy, Training and more support for adults, children, couples and families.

The service can be contacted Tuesday to Thursday, 10.00am to 7.00pm; and Saturday, 10.00am to 3.00pm

Website: talkingtherapies.rdash.nhs.uk

NHS Doncaster Talking Therapies, previously known as Doncaster IAPT, provides talking therapies to adults who are experiencing common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress.

The Doncaster team is made up of psychological wellbeing practitioners, cognitive behavioural therapists and counsellors. The team can offer a range of different talking therapies to support you in managing your mental health and improving your wellbeing.

Doncaster also offers a long term conditions (LTC) service which offers support for adults diagnosed with long term health conditions and who are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or stress.

To access the NHS Doncaster Talking Therapies service, you must be registered to a Doncaster GP surgery.

Website: www.samaritans.org

Opening hours
Monday 5:30 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Tuesday  5 a.m. – 8 a.m. 5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Wednesday  8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Thursday  8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday 11 a.m. – 5 a.m.
Saturday 5 a.m. – 8 a.m. 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – noon

Working Win is a free service for people aged over 18 living in Doncaster, Barnsley, Rotherham, or Sheffield. It aims to support you if you have a physical and/or mental health condition and would like to find meaningful employment or stay in your current role. We also provide you with ongoing in-work support in both your new or existing role.

View Working Win leaflet here. 

You can find out more about how Working Win could help you or a loved one here:

Website: https://shawtrust.org.uk/working-win 

Telephone: 0300 30 33 111

National support organisations

See what national support is available for suicide prevention.

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

Tel: 0800 068 4141

Text: 07984967708

Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Support for young people

Go to website

Tel: 0300 304 7000

You can leave a message / your contact number on 07984967708

Email: support@sane.org.uk

Telephone support available from 4.30pm to 10.30pm, 7 days a week

Go to website

Text Shout to 85258

Free text service for anyone in crisis, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Go to website

Website: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/

Young Minds has lots of tips, advice and guidance on where you can get support for your mental health during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Improving support for people contemplating suicide by raising awareness of and promoting free suicide prevention training which is accessible to all.

Suicide Awareness Training – full version

Suicide Awareness Training – veteran edition

Support Apps

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!
Feedback
Feedback
How would you rate your experience?
Do you have any additional comments?
Next
Enter your email if you'd like us to contact you regarding your feedback.
Back
Submit
Thank you for submitting your feedback!