Worried About Someone? Signs Someone Is Suicidal and How to Help
If you're worried that someone you care about may be thinking of suicide, trust that instinct. You don't need to be an expert to help — you just need to care enough to ask, and to listen.

Anyone can be affected by suicide, and everyone can help prevent suicides. Reaching this page means you're already doing something that could save a life.
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What are the signs someone is suicidal?
There is no single tell-tale sign, but changes in how someone talks, feels or behaves can signal that they're struggling. Look out for:
- Talking about feeling hopeless, trapped, worthless or being a burden to others
- Withdrawing from friends, family and things they used to enjoy
- Big changes in mood — deep sadness, anxiety, anger, or a sudden, unexplained calm
- Changes in sleeping or eating, or increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Giving away possessions, saying goodbye, or putting affairs in order
- Talking about death or about wanting the pain to stop
Some people show no obvious signs at all. If something feels wrong, it's always worth asking.

Take the free
Zero Suicide Alliance training which will give you the skills and confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation with someone you're worried about.
Should I ask someone directly if they're suicidal?
Yes. This is one of the most important things to know: asking someone directly about suicide does not put the idea in their head. The evidence is clear that it doesn't — in fact, it often brings enormous relief, because it gives them permission to be honest.

You could say something like: "You don't seem yourself lately, and I care about you. Are you having thoughts of suicide?" Calm, direct and unashamed is best. Vague hints are easier to deflect than a caring, straightforward question.
support for bereaved parents and their families, including a leaflet for parents who have lost a child to suicide.
life-saving services and helpful articles on bereavement by suicide.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
The Compassionate Friends
How do I listen to someone who feels suicidal?
You don't need the perfect words — your presence and patience matter far more.
Listen more than you speak.
Let them tell their story without rushing to fix it.
Take them seriously.
Don't dismiss their feelings or say things like "you've got so much to live for".
Stay calm and non-judgemental.
Suicidal thoughts come from deep pain, not weakness or selfishness.
Ask what would help.
Small practical support can lift real weight.
Keep in touch.
A message the next day — "thinking of you" — tells them they're not alone.
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Where can we get help?
You shouldn't carry this alone, and neither should they. As well as helping them to make a Safety Plan, you can encourage them to:
- Call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time, day or night
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for confidential support by text
- See their GP, who can open the door to ongoing professional support
If you believe they are in immediate danger, stay with them and call 999. You can also share our
I Need Help Now
page with them — it's written for exactly this moment.
How do I look after myself while supporting someone?
Caring for someone who is struggling can be deeply meaningful and genuinely hard. Set healthy boundaries, take breaks, and talk to someone about how you're feeling too.
Organisations such as Rethink Mental Illness (advice for carers), Mind (coping while caring for someone else) and Young Minds (for parents and carers of struggling children) offer trusted guidance. You'll find more on our Help & Resources pages, and if you'd like your workplace or team to feel confident having these conversations, explore our Talks & Workshops.
With understanding and consistent support, recovery is possible — for the person you're worried about, and for you.
