World Suicide Prevention Day: Start the Conversation
Suicide isn't an easy subject to talk about. We can feel awkward. We might worry about saying the wrong thing. We might be frightened that asking someone directly how they are could somehow make things worse. But perhaps one of the most important things we can do is become a little more comfortable having uncomfortable conversations.
This year's World Suicide Prevention Day theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”, with the call to action “Start the Conversation.” It is the final year of this three-year campaign from the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), encouraging us to move away from silence and stigma and towards more open, compassionate conversations.
And starting a conversation doesn't mean knowing what to say. Sometimes it simply means being willing to ask: “How are you, really?” And then being prepared to listen.
The people behind the numbers
We hear statistics about suicide every year. In 2024, there were 6,190 registered suicide deaths in England and Wales. In Scotland, where suicide statistics are recorded separately, there were 704
Numbers are important. They help us understand the scale of the issue and where more work is needed. But a number can never tell us what was happening in someone's life.
It doesn't tell us about the difficult conversation they had the week before.
The relationship that had broken down.
The worries about money, work or health.
The loneliness that nobody else knew about.
Or the friend who had noticed that something seemed different, but wasn't sure whether to ask.
And it doesn't tell us about the people left behind.
The person who still reaches for their phone to message them.
The family who wonders if they could have done something differently.
The colleague who remembers the last conversation they had.
There is so much life contained within a statistic that a statistic can never show us. That is why prevention isn't simply about reducing a number. It is about helping people feel less alone when life becomes difficult.
Men and suicide
One part of the statistics that continues to stand out is the much higher rate of suicide among men. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), In England and Wales in 2024, the suicide rate for males was 17.6 deaths per 100,000, compared with 5.7 for females. Public Health Scotland shows a similar pattern. In 2024, the rate of probable suicide among males was 2.9 times the rate among females.
There isn't one simple explanation for this. But we do know that some men can find it difficult to talk about how they are feeling or to ask for help. Expectations around being strong, coping alone or not wanting to burden others can make reaching out harder.
This is one reason organisations such as ANDYSMANCLUB are so valuable. Creating spaces where men can come together, talk, listen and realise that they aren't the only one struggling can make a real difference.
Sometimes we don't need to find the right words. We simply need to create places where it feels safe enough to say: “I'm not doing very well at the moment.”
Listening is more important than having the answers
When someone tells us they are struggling, our instinct can be to try to fix things. We might offer solutions
.Tell them what they should do.
Tell them that things will get better.
Try to find a positive.
But sometimes people don't need us to fix anything. They need us to listen. Really listen.
Without interrupting or judging. Without immediately comparing their experience with our own. Without trying to make their feelings smaller because we find them difficult to hear.
We can say:
“That sounds really hard.”
“I'm glad you told me.”
“You don't have to work this out on your own.”
Or simply: “I'm here. Tell me more.”
Compassion doesn't mean having all the answers. It means being willing to sit alongside someone in a difficult moment rather than rushing them out of it. And if you're worried about someone, it is okay to ask directly whether they are thinking about suicide. It can feel frightening to ask, but asking doesn't put the idea into someone's head. It can actually give someone permission to talk about something they may have been carrying on their own.
You don't need to be a mental health professional. You don't need to know exactly what to do next. Listen. Stay connected. Take them seriously. Help them find the right support. That can be enough to start with.
What can we all do?
We can become better at noticing.
Perhaps someone has stopped coming along to things they normally enjoy.
Someone who is usually chatty has become very quiet.
A colleague seems exhausted and overwhelmed.
A friend keeps cancelling plans.
Someone who always says “I'm fine” doesn't quite seem fine.
None of these things automatically mean someone is suicidal. But they can be reasons to check in. “I've noticed you've seemed a bit quieter recently. How are things?” And if they say they're fine, we can still let them know the door is open. “Okay. I just wanted you to know I'm here if you need me.” Sometimes the first conversation doesn't lead anywhere. That's okay. Keep the connection going. A message. A cup of tea. A walk. An invitation. A phone call. Small things can matter enormously when someone is feeling disconnected.
If you're struggling yourself
Perhaps this World Suicide Prevention Day is speaking directly to you. If things feel overwhelming, you don't have to wait until you reach a crisis point before telling someone. Start with one person. A friend. A family member. A colleague. Your GP, Someone you trust.
You don't even need to know what to say. You could simply say: “I'm struggling at the moment and I could really do with someone to talk to.”
If talking feels too difficult, send a message. Try to focus on getting through this moment, rather than trying to solve everything at once. Stay connected to someone. Go somewhere you feel safe. If you can, put some distance between yourself and anything you might use to hurt yourself.
There are also tools that can help you through difficult moments. The Stay Alive app includes a safety plan, grounding exercises, reasons for living and information about sources of support. And remember: Asking for help isn't a sign that you're failing. It means things are difficult right now, and you deserve some support with them.
What can workplaces do?
Workplaces have an important part to play too. We spend so much of our lives at work that colleagues and managers may sometimes notice changes before anyone else does. Creating a workplace where people can talk about mental health isn't about turning managers into therapists. It is about creating an environment where saying “I'm struggling” doesn't feel like an admission of failure.
There are practical things workplaces can do:
Make conversations about mental health part of everyday working life.
Train managers to recognise when someone may be struggling and respond with compassion.
Make sure everyone knows where they can access support.
Have regular, genuine check-ins rather than only talking about wellbeing when there is a problem.
Look at workload, working hours, isolation and workplace culture.
Create psychologically safer environments where people can ask for help.
Don't assume that someone who is performing well is necessarily doing well.
Keep the conversation going after someone has told you they are struggling.
And perhaps most importantly: Don't wait for someone to reach breaking point before you show that you care.
There is hope
Suicide prevention can feel like a heavy subject. But I don't think the conversation has to be one of hopelessness. It can be about connection, compassion, and noticing. About making it a little easier for someone to say, “I'm not okay.” And about making sure that when they do, someone is willing to listen.
We won't always know what is happening beneath the surface of someone's life. We can't always prevent someone from taking their own life. But we can create more opportunities for people to talk.
We can become better listeners. We can challenge the idea that asking for help is a weakness. We can check in with the person who has gone quiet. We can sit with someone when they are struggling rather than feeling that we have to make everything better.
And we can keep reminding each other that difficult feelings can change, circumstances can change, and support is available.
So this World Suicide Prevention Day, perhaps we can all do one small thing.
Start the conversation.
Ask someone how they really are.
And then, most importantly, listen to the answer.
If you need support
If you are struggling, or worried about someone else, you don't have to deal with it alone.
Samaritans: Call 116 123 free, day or night, 365 days a year.
NHS: If you need urgent mental health support in England, call 111 and select the mental health option. If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
PAPYRUS – HOPELINE247: For young people aged 35 and under who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned about a young person. Call 0300 102 2470, text HOPE to 88247, or use their online support. PAPYRUS provides confidential support from trained suicide prevention advisers.
ANDYSMANCLUB: Peer support groups for men, offering a place to talk, listen and connect with others.
Stay Alive app: A suicide prevention app with a safety plan, grounding tools, reasons for living and information about support.
Hub of Hope: A UK-wide directory helping you find local and national mental health support.
And there are many other organisations and local services that can help. You don't have to have the words. You just have to make the first connection.
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