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.
This year, Australians continued to grow their confidence and capability to ask, 'are you OK?' any day of the year - reminding us how real connection and meaningful conversations can happen in the most ordinary, everyday moments. Across every age and stage of life, people helped normalise these important check-ins by looking out for one another, reducing stigma, and driving genuine change. Thanks to our supporters, awareness continues to expand in schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, and communities in every corner of Australia. Thank you to everyone who started conversations, and to everyone who supported the mission and work of R U OK?. Below is a short video which shares a glimpse of the activity made possible through collaboration. *Voice-over by former-CEO, Katherine Newton.
From growing up on farms to a shared interest in history, Australians, young and old, are discovering just how much they have in common, and how storytelling can connect generations in unexpected ways. What’s bringing them together is 'Heart and Soul Story', a social enterprise that fosters intergenerational connections. Through its programs, young people and older generations come together in aged care homes and schools to share stories, build life skills, and prevent loneliness. At a recent session which encouraged everyone to Ask R U OK? Any Day, students visited an aged-care community with R U OK? Conversation Bingo cards, which feature prompts to spark humour, curiosity, and connection.
Collages of life’s joys, portraits of loved ones, cultural celebrations, and reflections on the barriers to connection - the Creative Legends and Finalists of the R U OK? National Art Competition expressed creativity, vulnerability and individuality through their incredible artwork.
