Thread by @psychpolis

1) Suicide: A thread on how to have the conversation

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

2) Asking someone if they've been thinking about suicide or are feeling suicidal won't put the idea in their head.

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

3) It's better to ask the question and be wrong than not ask at all

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

4) "But they don't seem depressed"

A person can be in a lot of internal pain hidden from the world around them, just because you can't see that pain doesn't mean they don't feel it

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

5) Someone who is feeling suicidal is in a lot of pain already they don't need pity, to be judged or to be blamed, we need to think about these factors when approaching the conversation

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

6) There's no perfect way to have a conversation about suicide so don't let that stop you asking the question but if you do try to be direct, to empathise with the person's pain & offer hope in that moment

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

7) There are key ways not to ask someone about suicide: They're not attention seeking, or selfish or cowards & don't need to be blamed or stigmatised, they're in pain and need understanding and empathy

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

8) By asking the question about suicide we can help a person feel less alone, connected to us, feel understood and have the possibility of hope, we can all be that #onegoodadult

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

9) When we ask the question about suicide and the answer is yes, thank the person for telling you, don't guarantee confidentiality, what can we do right now to keep you safe & who else can we involve to increase safety

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021

10) When you ask the question and the answer is yes remember you don't need to carry that responsibility alone, a range of supports are available

#WorldSuicidePreventionDay #WSPD2021