Does someone you know have suicidal thoughts?
Tools for you to help if you don’t know how.
Does someone you know have suicidal thoughts?
Tools for you to help if you don’t know how.
Medically Verified by Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation
How Texts Can Save Lives
We understand it can be frightening to reach out to someone you believe is feeling suicidal. But, it is medically accepted that raising the issue, followed by frequent contact with a distressed person from a number of close supports, can be life-saving. We provide you with texts and the knowledge of What to Ask, Say and Do to keep those close to you safer until professional treatment is successful, or the suicidal ideas subside. Many of us do not know that suicide and attempted suicide are the commonest cause of death and injury between the ages of 15 and 44, male or female, in Australia (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Most of these victims do not get professional help, and most episodes take place outside business hours. Your role can be huge.
Loneliness can be challenging, especially during periods of stress.
Save a life, send a text....frequently. Research shows that not being in regular contact with others increases the risk of suicide. Messages from those close to a suicidal person have a huge impact.
Loneliness can be challenging, especially during periods of stress.
Save a life, send a text....frequently. Research shows that not being in regular contact with others increases the risk of suicide. Messages from those close to a suicidal person have a huge impact.
Learn what you can say to lessen suicidal thoughts in someone close to you.
The whole world is now fighting against a virus, and everyone is told exactly what they should do to help save lives.
“Washing your hands and keep a social distance” but…
What do we do to reduce suicides?
Learn what you can say to lessen suicidal thoughts in someone close to you.
The whole world is now fighting against a virus, and everyone is told exactly what they should do to help save lives.
“Washing your hands and keep a social distance” but…
What do we do to reduce suicides?
About 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide every year. With over 3000 of those deaths here in Australia. And medical research shows there are 30 suicide attempts for every completed suicide.
That’s equivalent to a bus full of passengers dying every week, and a plane full of passengers attempting suicide every 2 or 3 days.
“Almost 100,000 Australians annually (mainly female) make a suicide attempt. Of those that die from suicide, 75% are male and 25% are female.”
(1)(2)
About 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide every year. With over 3000 of those deaths here in Australia. And medical research shows there are 30 suicide attempts for every completed suicide.
That’s equivalent to a bus full of passengers dying every week, and a plane full of passengers attempting suicide every 2 or 3 days.
“Almost 100,000 Australians annually (mainly female) make a suicide attempt. Of those that die from suicide, 75% are male and 25% are female.”
(1)(2)
Yet, when someone we know has suicidal thoughts, nobody tells us what to do.
"What can I do?"
5 Action steps to help someone in emotional pain.
(evidenced by science)
1. Ask
“How are you on a scale of 0 - 10?”
2. Keep them safe
Reduce access to lethal items or places.
3. Send our texts regularly
Be there for them. Don’t preach, listen.
5. Stay connected
Follow up and stay in touch after the crisis. Ask others to do the same.
"What do I say?"
Ask
Studies show acknowledging and talking about suicide may, in fact, reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
How?
Ask a question like
This shows that you’re open to talking about suicide in a supportive, and non-judgmental way. It may seem direct, but it actually can open the door for an effective conversation.
This shows that you’re open to talking about suicide in a supportive, and non-judgmental way. It may seem direct, but it actually can open the door for an mind-changing conversation.
Other questions:
An important part of ASK is the other side of the coin: Listen
An important part of ASK is the other side of the coin:
Listen
Help them focus on their reasons for living and avoid trying to impose your reasons for them to stay alive.
Find here an extended list of texts
that have proven to be helpful.
Find here an extended list of texts that have proven to be helpful.
- Suggest Supportive Text Messages
- Suggest Supportive Text Messages
We value your ideas.
Do you have an idea or suggested phrase?
Have you helped someone before?
Have you been suicidal and recovered?
Please submit your ideas here, it may help save a life.
“Over 65,000 Australians
make a suicide attempt
annually. Of those that die
from suicide, 75% are male
and 25% are female.” (2)
One of the most effective cures is:
“Effective help-seeking and supportive social relationships for people who are thinking about suicide…” (2)
One of the most effective cures is:
“Effective help-seeking and supportive social relationships for people who are thinking about suicide…”(2)
Reach out because they may not be able to…
Most people who think about suicide want someone to know how they feel WITHOUT them absolutely freaking out.
We would all help someone close to us who was thinking about suicide.
But society has built a wall of taboo around this topic.
Now let’s use social media for honesty, sincerity, and helping each other.
In today’s social media world, we’ve mastered the art of putting on a “Happy-Filter”.
The overuse of that filter has helped lead us here.
This campaign is NOT
about LIKES.
This campaign is NOT
about LIKES.
Likes can make someone feel good
for a couple of seconds.
SHARING ideas, on the other hand,
can change someone’s mood, day,
or life.
Choose your favourite social network, and press the share button to let your friends, family, and loved ones know you care.
Washing your hands takes 20 seconds, sharing an idea takes 5.
Both can save lives.
The #itttext posts are about being open.
- @ASPForg Join our mission #itttext
Letting others know that there is someone they can talk to.
Letting others know that there is
someone they can talk to.
Talk about a subject that society
told them is taboo.
They don’t know you care until you
let them know.
The #itttext posts are about being open.
Letting others know that there is someone they can talk to.
Talk about a subject that society told them is taboo.
They don’t know you care until you let them know.
- @ASPForg Join our mission #itttext
PS:
Some of the most painful sentences start with:
“I wish I had…”
“I wish I had asked her…”
“I wish I had told him…”
“I wish you won’t ever have to start your sentences like that.”
Please share this message, and save lives.
You might not have any friends who struggle with suicidal thoughts.
Or simply you might not be aware they are struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Or your friends might have someone among their friends.
Australian Suicide
Prevention Foundation
For over 20 years we’ve provided Australia-wide suicide prevention to every and any vulnerable Australian, whether they be in metropolitan, rural or isolated areas.
Postal Address:
PO Box 222
North Melbourne VIC 3051
Office Address:
Suite 609, 89 High Street
Kew VIC 3101
© 2020 Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation