Friday, 27 March 2026

📘 1. FULL EASY READ VERSION (Learner Friendly) 🧠 Supporting to Prevent Suicide – Part 1

 



⚠️ Warning signs and risks

Someone may be at risk if they are:

  • Feeling very anxious or overwhelmed
  • Using alcohol or drugs more than usual
  • Not sleeping or thinking constantly
  • Feeling trapped with no way out
  • Feeling angry, reckless, or out of control
  • Having mood swings
  • Withdrawing from others
  • Feeling hopeless or helpless

💬 Talking and listening

  • Give the person time to talk
  • Let them speak freely
  • Do not interrupt
  • Be patient

👉 They may just need to get things off their mind


🧠 Important understanding

  • Feelings may last a long time
  • People may not know how long they can cope
  • Their thoughts may feel overwhelming
  • This must always be taken seriously

🚫 What NOT to say

  • “Why are you thinking like that?”
  • “You wouldn’t do it”
  • “If you were going to do it, you would have done it already”

👉 These comments can make things worse


❓ Questions you can ask

  • How are you feeling?
  • Are you thinking about giving up?
  • Are you thinking about dying?
  • Are you thinking about harming yourself?

👉 Ask calmly and without pressure


⚠️ Safety questions

If you are concerned, ask:

  • Do you have access to pills, weapons, or anything dangerous?

👉 This is for safety, not judgment


🚨 If someone is in danger

Take immediate action:

  • Call emergency services (999 / 911)
  • Contact crisis support
  • Stay with the person if safe
  • Ask where they are if not with you

🛑 Always consider safety

  • Do not put yourself in danger
  • If the situation becomes unsafe, get help immediately

🌧️ What people may feel

  • Hopeless
  • Ashamed
  • Burdened
  • Stuck
  • Alone

👉 These feelings are real and serious


🧠 Important reminder

  • Thoughts and actions are different
  • Both must be taken seriously
  • Never judge either

🚩 Warning behaviours

  • Saying “I wish I was dead”
  • Giving away belongings
  • Making a will suddenly
  • Avoiding people
  • Talking about “last time”

🧑‍⚕️ Support options

  • Counselling
  • Therapy
  • Medication
  • Emotional support

📞 Get help

  • Samaritans
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
  • Mind
  • Local mental health crisis teams

🌟 Final message

  • Listen
  • Stay calm
  • Take concerns seriously
  • Get help early
  • Never ignore warning signs

📊 2. POWERPOINT TRAINING VERSION


Slide 1: Title

Supporting to Prevent Suicide – Part 1


Slide 2: Risk Indicators

  • Anxiety
  • Substance use
  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Isolation

Slide 3: Emotional Signs

  • Hopelessness
  • Anger
  • Feeling trapped
  • Overthinking

Slide 4: Behaviour Changes

  • Withdrawal
  • Risk-taking
  • Giving away belongings
  • Talking about death

Slide 5: Communication

  • Let them talk
  • Do not interrupt
  • Be patient

Slide 6: Questions to Ask

  • Are you thinking about harming yourself?
  • Are you thinking about dying?
  • How are you coping?

Slide 7: Safety Questions

  • Do you have access to harmful items?

Slide 8: What NOT to Say

  • “Why would you do that?”
  • “You wouldn’t actually do it”

Slide 9: Action Steps

  • Stay calm
  • Listen
  • Get help
  • Call emergency services if needed

Slide 10: Support Services

  • Samaritans
  • Mind
  • Crisis lines
  • Emergency services

Slide 11: Key Rule

Never ignore warning signs


Slide 12: Final Message

  • Take all concerns seriously
  • Safety first
  • Support saves lives

🧩 3. WORKBOOK / TRAINING EXERCISES


✏️ Activity 1: Identify Risks

List 5 warning signs of suicide risk.


✏️ Activity 2: True or False

  • Suicide thoughts should be ignored (❌)
  • Asking about suicide is harmful (❌)
  • Listening is important (✔️)

✏️ Activity 3: Practice Questions

Write 3 questions you could ask someone who is struggling.


✏️ Activity 4: Case Study

👉 A person says:

“I feel like I can’t go on anymore.”

What should you do?


✏️ Activity 5: Safety Plan

  • Who would you contact?
  • What services would you use?

📄 4. PRINTABLE HANDOUT VERSION (SHORT)


🧠 Suicide Prevention – Key Points

  • Watch for warning signs
  • Listen carefully
  • Do not judge
  • Take all concerns seriously

⚠️ Risk Signs

  • Hopelessness
  • Withdrawal
  • Mood changes
  • Risk-taking

💬 Ask

  • “How are you feeling?”
  • “Are you thinking about harming yourself?”

🚫 Avoid

  • Judging
  • Interrupting
  • Ignoring warning signs

🚨 If concerned

  • Call emergency services
  • Stay with the person
  • Get support

📞 Support

  • Samaritans
  • NHS services
  • Crisis lines

🌟 FINAL MESSAGE

  • Most people want to stop their pain, not their life
  • Early support can save lives
  • Listening can make a huge difference 

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