Around 3% of the adult population have thought about killing themselves at some time. Suicide is a tragedy and has a very big effect on the family and community. Although it is not always possible to prevent a person from committing suicide, you can help to reduce the risk of it happening. The key ways that you can help to prevent suicide are listed below.

Ways to help to prevent suicide

  • Know how to assess the risk of suicide.
  • Help people who have attempted suicide.
  • Help people with depression and psychosis to get early treatment so that their suffering is reduced. This will reduce the risk of suicide. Also make sure you screen for suicidal ideas in this high-risk group.
  • Help people with an alcohol, khat or cannabis problem to get treatment. It is important to ask about suicidal ideas, and also to screen for depression, as this increases the risk of suicide in this group.
  • Improve people's coping strategies. Educating the community about 'helpful coping strategies' may help to reduce the chance that they will turn to suicide if they experience a very stressful event.
Last modified: Friday, 4 July 2014, 4:44 PM