Every year, World Suicide Prevention Day reminds us of the importance of talking openly about suicide and suicide prevention. The theme for 2024-2026 is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide” - a call to challenge stigma, reduce silence and create a culture where people feel able to talk about how they are really feeling and access support when they need it.

But changing the narrative isn't just about what we say on World Suicide Prevention Day. It is about changing the way we approach difficult conversations every day - including in our workplaces.

Suicide is often surrounded by fear, stigma and misconceptions. People may worry that talking about suicide will make things worse, that they will say the wrong thing, or that asking someone directly about suicide could put the idea into their head.These concerns can make an already difficult subject even harder to talk about.

Changing the narrative means moving away from silence, shame and assumptions and towards openness, compassion and support. It means recognising that talking about suicide does not have to be dramatic or frightening. Sometimes, it can begin with something as simple as asking someone how they are doing -and being prepared to genuinely listen to the answer.It also means recognising that suicidal thoughts and feelings can affect people from all walks of life. There isn't one type of person who experiences suicidal thoughts, and there isn't always an obvious sign that someone is struggling.

One of the most important things we can do is make it easier for people to talk about how they are feeling.This doesn't mean that every conversation needs to become a conversation about suicide. It means creating opportunities for people to be honest when things aren't going well.

You might notice that a colleague seems quieter than usual, has become withdrawn, appears overwhelmed or has experienced a significant change in their circumstances. You don't need to know exactly what is wrong before checking in.
Try something simple:

• “I've noticed you don't seem yourself lately. How are you doing?”
• “You've seemed like you've got a lot on your plate. Do you want to talk?”
• “How are you really feeling at the moment?”
• “I'm here if you want to talk.”

Sometimes, the most important part isn't finding the perfect words. It is showing someone that you have noticed, that you care and that they don't have to pretend everything is fine.

If someone tells you that they are having thoughts about suicide, it is understandable to feel unsure about what to say.Try to stay calm and listen without judgement. You don't need to have all the answers or solve everything for them.If you are concerned that someone may be thinking about suicide, it is okay to ask directly: “Are you thinking about suicide?”

Asking someone directly about suicide does not cause suicidal thoughts or make someone more likely to act on them. In fact, asking openly can provide an opportunity for someone to talk about something they may have been keeping to themselves.If they say yes, try to:

If someone opens up to you, give them the time and space to talk. You don't need to fill every silence or immediately offer advice or solutions. Sometimes, simply knowing that someone is willing to listen without judgement can make it easier to talk about what is happening.

Try to listen to understand rather than trying to work out what you are going to say next. You might say “That sounds really difficult”, “I'm glad you told me” or “Thank you for talking to me about this.”

Remember that listening doesn't mean you have to agree with everything someone says. It means showing that you are willing to hear their experience and understand how things feel from their perspective.

If someone tells you they are having suicidal thoughts, take what they are saying seriously – even if you find it difficult to understand why they feel that way.

Avoid dismissing their feelings or trying to convince them that things aren't as bad as they seem. Comments such as “You have so much to live for”, “Things will get better” or “You don't really mean that” may be intended to reassure, but can leave someone feeling that their distress hasn't been understood.

Instead, acknowledge what they have told you. “I can hear how much you're struggling” or “I'm really glad you told me” can communicate that you are taking them seriously without making assumptions about what they need.

Hearing that someone is thinking about suicide can be frightening, and you may feel shocked or unsure of how to respond. Try to remain calm and avoid reacting with panic, anger or judgement.

You don't need to be afraid of talking about suicide. Give the person an opportunity to explain what they are experiencing and avoid making them feel guilty for having these thoughts.

Remember that suicidal thoughts are a sign that someone is experiencing significant distress -not a character flaw or a reason to blame or shame them.

If appropriate, check in with the person again after your initial conversation. A simple message such as “Just wanted to see how you're doing today” can remind someone that the conversation didn't end when they told you they were struggling.

You don't need to constantly ask about suicide or monitor someone's wellbeing. Staying connected can simply mean continuing to treat them with care, making time to talk and letting them know that you are there.

If someone tells you they are in immediate danger or you believe they may act on suicidal thoughts, don't try to manage the situation alone.

Stay with them if it is safe to do so and seek urgent professional help. In Northern Ireland, you can contact Lifeline on 0808 808 8000, or call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department if there is an immediate risk of serious harm.Getting urgent help isn't an overreaction. When someone's safety is at risk, it is important to involve people who are trained to provide appropriate support.

And remember: you don't have to fix someone's problems to make a difference. Sometimes, being willing to listen, ask the difficult question and help someone find support is an important first step.

Changing the narrative on suicide doesn't mean expecting friends, colleagues or managers to become mental health professionals.

You cannot - and should not be expected to - solve someone's problems for them.Your role may simply be to notice, ask, listen and help someone connect with the right support.That can be incredibly valuable.

It is also important to look after yourself if someone confides in you about suicidal thoughts. Supporting someone through a difficult period can be emotionally challenging. Talk to someone you trust or access professional support yourself if you need it.

Workplaces have an important role to play in changing the narrative around suicide. A healthy workplace culture doesn't mean that everyone has to share personal information or discuss their mental health publicly. Instead, it means creating an environment where people don't feel that struggling makes them weak, unreliable or less capable.

This can include:

• encouraging open conversations about mental health and wellbeing
• ensuring managers feel confident responding to someone who is struggling
• making information about support services easy to find
• taking concerns about workload, stress and workplace relationships seriously
• avoiding language that trivialises or stigmatises suicide and mental health
• checking in with colleagues rather than waiting until someone reaches crisis pointmaking it clear that asking for help is a strength, not a failure.

Small changes in the way we talk and listen can contribute to a much bigger cultural change. For more information on how Action Mental Health can support your workplace, visit the "training" section of the Workplace Wellbeing Hub.

We don't always know what someone else is carrying.

A colleague who appears to be coping may be struggling. Someone who seems withdrawn may be waiting for someone to notice. And someone who says they're having a difficult time may not necessarily be looking for us to fix things – they may simply need someone to listen.

Changing the narrative on suicide means making those conversations less frightening, less taboo and less difficult to start.

It means replacing “I don't know what to say” with “I'm going to ask anyway.”

It means replacing “I don't want to make things worse” with “I want them to know they don't have to face this alone.”

And sometimes, it starts with simply asking:“How are you -really?”

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or feels unable to cope, support is available.


Lifeline:
0808 808 8000
Lifeline is Northern Ireland's crisis response helpline and provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It can support people experiencing emotional distress or a mental health crisis, as well as people concerned about someone else.

Samaritans
Call 116 123 -free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Samaritans provides a confidential listening service for anyone who is struggling to cope or having suicidal thoughts. You don't need to be at a particular level of crisis to contact them. Samaritans also has branches across Northern Ireland.

PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland
Freephone: 0800 088 6042
PIPS provides suicide prevention and crisis support services across Northern Ireland, including support for people experiencing emotional distress and for families affected by suicide. Their services include crisis support and counselling.

Your GP or mental health services
Your GP can provide support and help you access appropriate mental health services. If you already receive mental health support, you can also contact your mental health team or use the emergency contact details provided as part of your care.

If someone is in immediate danger
If you believe someone is at immediate risk of serious harm, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Northern Ireland's health guidance also recommends seeking urgent help through your GP, GP out-of-hours service or local mental health crisis team when someone is experiencing a mental health emergency.

You don't have to wait until things become unbearable to ask for help.
Talking about suicide can feel difficult, but difficult conversations can be important ones. By being willing to listen, ask questions and encourage someone to access support, we can all play a part in changing the narrative.