Statements about being a burden or having no future
Ask what is happening now, whether suicidal thoughts are present and whether the person can remain safe while help is contacted.
Supporting an Adult with Suicidal Thoughts
One safe step at a time.
Ask directly about suicide, listen without judgement and clarify whether the person can stay safe now. You do not need perfect words; calm presence and action are more useful than trying to solve every cause.
Direct answerSay what is happening.
Say what is happening.
Bring another person in.
Ask directly about suicide, listen without judgement and clarify whether the person can stay safe now. You do not need perfect words; calm presence and action are more useful than trying to solve every cause.
Someone may disclose clearly, hint indirectly or deny thoughts after becoming worried about your reaction. Consider current words, behaviour, preparations, intoxication, recent changes and your own concern. You are not expected to make a clinical risk classification.
A proportionate next step
Stay with the person when safety is uncertain, support contact with NHS 111, an urgent GP appointment or their mental-health team, and call 999 or go to A&E for immediate danger. Keep another responsible person informed where appropriate.
Signals to take seriouslyLook for change.
Look for change.
Ask about safety.
No list or score predicts suicide. These prompts help begin a direct conversation and decide whether urgent services are needed.
Preparations, giving things away or putting affairs in order
Ask what is happening now, whether suicidal thoughts are present and whether the person can remain safe while help is contacted.
Withdrawal combined with hopelessness or intoxication
Ask what is happening now, whether suicidal thoughts are present and whether the person can remain safe while help is contacted.
A direct statement that the person cannot stay safe
Ask what is happening now, whether suicidal thoughts are present and whether the person can remain safe while help is contacted.
What to doUse a short
Use a short
safety sequence.
The aim is not to produce a diagnosis. It is to reduce isolation and reach the right level of help.
Ask directly and listen
Use calm, plain language. Give the person time to answer and reflect back what you heard without debate, guilt or forced optimism.
Clarify immediate safety
Ask whether the person may act, has made preparations or can stay safe. Do not use a risk score or a verbal promise as a substitute for professional assessment.
Create connection and distance from danger
Stay together when safety is uncertain, move towards a safer shared place, involve another trusted person and reduce access to danger without confrontation.
Use the appropriate UK route
Stay with the person when safety is uncertain, support contact with NHS 111, an urgent GP appointment or their mental-health team, and call 999 or go to A&E for immediate danger. Keep another responsible person informed where appropriate.
Important boundarySupport is shared.
Support is shared.
Safety is not a private burden.
Do not agree to be the only person who knows, promise availability you cannot sustain or treat a verbal promise as proof of safety. Respect privacy while sharing information necessary to prevent serious harm.
Suicidal thoughts require human contact and, where indicated, professional assessment. Never delay NHS or emergency help while waiting for an iMetaWellness response.
Conversation prompts
Four clear questions.
Adapt the language to age, communication needs and the relationship, while keeping the meaning direct.
Are you thinking about suicide?
This names the concern without euphemism and gives the person permission to answer directly.
Do you feel you may act on those thoughts?
A “yes”, uncertainty or inability to answer clearly can require urgent or emergency action.
Can you stay safe while we contact help?
Do not leave someone alone when safety is uncertain. Call 999 or go to A&E for immediate danger.
Who else can help us carry this now?
Identify a trusted person and the relevant NHS, GP, mental-health or emergency route.
Non-crisis supportUrgent route first.
Urgent route first.
Private enquiry afterwards.
Once immediate safety and clinical support are established, use the patient form to ask whether complementary wellbeing support is suitable.