What should I do if I'm worried about someone's immediate safety
hello • 9 September 2020
If you think someone is having thoughts of suicide, don’t be afraid to ask them if they are. Asking the question does not lead to suicide.
It’s not an easy question to ask, so if you don’t feel confident, a good first step is to call a crisis helpline to seek some immediate advice - view the Find Help page for a list of available services.
How do I ask?
“People in situations like this may be thinking about suicide. Have you thought about killing yourself?”
If they say yes, the most important things for you to do are to:
- keep them safe – do not leave them alone
- get them some immediate professional help.
To keep them safe, remove any dangerous items from their physical location, particularly if they have mentioned a suicide plan.
If they share details of their plan with you, don’t agree to keep these or their suicidal thoughts a secret.
Keep talking and listening to them. Be positive about the role professionals can play in helping them through tough times. You can say things like:
- “I think it’s time to link in with someone who can support you. I can help you find the right person to talk to.”
- “You’re not alone. We can figure this out together”
- “Who’s a person you trust? I would like to call them so we can both help.”
Getting them to professional help can start with any of these options:
- Calling a crisis support line together
- Going with them to an Emergency Department
- Going with them to a community centre or recovery centre
- Taking them somewhere that feels safe to them but where they won’t be alone.
If you believe their life is in immediate danger or you are finding the situation difficult to manage, call 000.
The pair are taking part in Ks for R U OK?, a fundraising challenge that encourages people to get moving while raising funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
Chris’ former neighbour, Blake, was just 14 years old when he noticed something wasn’t right and trusted his instincts enough to act.
A single conversation gave Eliza the space to stop pretending she was OK. It helped her access the right support and marked the beginning of her journey towards rebuilding her life after one of its lowest points.
