Spotlight on World Suicide Prevention Day 2025
This article discusses suicide and may be upsetting to some. If you’re having thoughts of self harm or ending your life, it’s important to tell someone. Help is available and your life matters.
Over two decades ago, the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborated with the World Health Organisation (WHO), to establish World Suicide Prevention Day. This yearly event aims to broadcast to the public, governments, and organisations the important truth that suicide can be prevented.
Suicidal behaviour deeply affects individuals, families, friends, communities, and societies. Suicide can be prevented and you don’t have to be an expert to show you care and save a life. The triennial theme for World Suicide Prevention day is ‘Changing the Narrative on Suicide’. Changing the narrative involves challenging harmful myths, reducing stigma, fostering conversations, creating supportive environments, and driving systemic change.
Worried about someone?
- You can start by drawing on your intuition that someone might need help. Samaritans has put together a list of signs and situations to look out for that someone might not be okay.
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Anyone can interrupt suicidal thoughts, even through brief words and small actions.
If you're concerned about someone, try to get them to talk to you by:
- Showing you care
- Having patience
- Asking open-ended questions like: "How do you feel about...?"
- Repeating what they said back to them “You’re feeling…Is that right?”
- Having courage. It’s okay if you don’t have the answers to sad and tough questions and topics. Listening to someone and taking them seriously can make a big difference.
- You can mention resources that you think would be useful to them (several are listed below), and pass on contact information. You can offer to go with the person you’re worried about to their appointments. You can agree on a time at which it might be useful to call or meet them again.
- You can help people create a safety plan. The Staying Safe website and Papyrus- Prevention of Young Suicide have step-by-step tutorials and templates on creating a safety plan. Safety plans are valuable exercises that people can draw from, including:
- What people can do for themselves to get through difficult times
- Practical ways to make their situation safer
- Who to contact for support
- Where to go or who to contact in an emergency.
- It’s important to look after yourself. If supporting someone is distressing you or taking a toll, you can use Samaritans services.
Resources to use and share
- If you are struggling with mental health and require urgent help, please call 999 or seek support at your local A&E.
- Samaritans offer a 24-hour helpline. Call from any phone for free on: 116 123. If you prefer emailing Samaritans, contact jo@samaritans.org. Please note email responses may take several days.
- Text SHOUT to 85258 or visit the SHOUT website for confidential, anonymous 24-hour support.
- The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) provides suicide prevention help and support to people in the borough.
- The City of Westminster provides suicide prevention help and support to people in the borough.
- Charities including Mind, Samaritans, and Zero Suicide Alliance offer guidance for supporting someone who is struggling and/or feeling suicidal.
- The NHS has also compiled information and resources around help for suicidal thoughts.
