Suicide can be a really difficult subject to talk about, but it’s important that we don’t shy away from conversations about suicide - even if they make us feel uncomfortable.

Mental health experts say that talking about suicide can actually save lives. Sometimes those really difficult conversations can open a door for someone to get help.

Most of us choose to think that suicide is something we won’t come across. Sadly, there were 6,069 suicides registered in England and Wales during 2023; the highest in more than two decades. Around three-quarters of these were men, a pattern seen since the mid 1990s.

Having suicidal thoughts is a symptom that something is seriously wrong. Talking to someone - especially a professional - might not change the problem that has triggered those thoughts, but it might help you to think about it in a different way.

Suicidal thoughts and feelings may include the person:

• Feeling sure they want to die
• Wanting a ‘solution’ to their problem/ unable to see any other way out
• Not caring if they live or die/ living recklessly or taking risks
• Viewing death as a release or a way of taking control

People can and do get better following a mental ill health crisis.

LionHeart has a team of professional counsellors and support officers who will listen without judgment and in confidence. We may be able to offer counselling or signpost you to more appropriate help.

Find out more about LionHeart counselling here.

If you are in crisis or at immediate risk of harming yourself, please call the Samaritans free on 116 123.

Suicide - and indeed any kind of mental ill health - can make people feel uncomfortable because they don’t know what to say or how to approach the subject. They worry that they might say the ‘wrong’ thing so they often choose to say nothing at all. Becoming more aware of mental health issues and the signs and symptoms of these might make you feel more equipped to support someone and signpost them to professional help.

LionHeart offers the following webinars: 

Suicide Awareness and Prevention	Mental Health in the Workplace
Introduction to Mental Health Awareness	Understanding Mental Wellbeing

• To see our upcoming webinar schedule, click here
• You can also find some pre-recorded health and wellbeing subjects in our webinar library here
  

You might also be interested in the following blogs and stories:

	Starting the conversation around suicide
	Losing a sibling to suicide
	My father’s suicide and what I’ve learnt
	“I constantly watch my husband for suicidal signs”
	Shaun’s story
	Jimmy’s story