01 · UNDERSTANDING SUICIDE PREVENTION
What Is Suicide Prevention?
Suicide prevention means taking steps to protect people who may be experiencing serious emotional distress or thoughts of suicide and helping them connect with appropriate support.
Suicide is a serious issue that can affect people of different ages and backgrounds.
Notice when someone may be struggling.
Listen without judging.
Take warning signs seriously.
Encourage the person to seek help.
Tell a trusted adult when there is a concern.
Stay supportive and caring.
A student should never be expected to handle a suicide crisis alone.
The role of a young person is to notice, listen, support and connect the person with help.
02 · UNDERSTANDING WARNING SIGNS
Notice Concerning Changes.
There is no single sign that can tell us that someone is suicidal. However, changes in behaviour, emotions or communication can sometimes indicate that someone is experiencing serious distress.
Talking about wanting to die or disappear.
Saying that life is not worth living.
Expressing feelings of hopelessness.
Suddenly withdrawing from friends and activities.
Giving away important personal belongings.
Saying goodbye in an unusual or concerning way.
Significant changes in behaviour or mood.
Increasing use of alcohol or drugs.
Suddenly appearing unusually calm after a period of severe distress.
One sign does not automatically mean that someone is suicidal. But concerning changes should not simply be ignored.
03 · MYTHS AND FACTS
Challenge Myths. Take Concerns Seriously.
“Talking about suicide will put the idea into someone’s head.”
Asking someone directly and calmly about whether they are thinking about suicide can open an important conversation and help them receive support.
“Someone who talks about suicide is only looking for attention.”
Any statement about suicide should be taken seriously.
“Young people cannot help.”
Young people can help by noticing changes, listening without judgement and connecting a friend to a trusted adult or professional.
04 · HOW TO RESPOND WHEN SOMEONE IS STRUGGLING
The Gatekeeper Role.
A gatekeeper is someone who may notice that another person is struggling and can help connect them to appropriate support.
05 · NOTICE
Show That You Care.
Pay attention when someone’s behaviour or mood changes significantly.
“I’ve noticed that you haven’t been yourself recently and you’ve been spending a lot of time alone.”
The goal is not to diagnose the person. The goal is to show that you have noticed and care.
06 · ASK
Ask Calmly and Directly.
Choose a quiet and appropriate place and ask calmly.
“You seem to be going through a difficult time. How are you feeling?”
If you are seriously concerned, it is appropriate to ask directly whether they are thinking about suicide.
Laugh, threaten, shame or challenge the person.
07 · LISTEN
Listen Without Judging.
If someone begins talking about their struggles, give them your attention and allow them to speak.
- Listen calmly.
- Give them your attention.
- Allow them to speak.
- Take their feelings seriously.
- Show compassion.
- Avoid blaming them.
- Encourage them to seek help.
- Tell them to “just be strong.”
- Tell them that their problems are not important.
- Make fun of them.
- Judge them.
- Promise to keep a suicide risk secret.
- Try to solve everything yourself.
You do not have to have all the answers. Sometimes the most helpful thing is simply to listen and help the person reach someone who can provide appropriate support.
08 · CONNECT
Connect the Person to Help.
This is one of the most important steps. If someone may be at risk, tell a trusted adult or appropriate professional immediately.
Parent or guardian
Teacher
School counsellor
Nurse or doctor
Mental health professional
Another responsible adult who can help
Do not leave the person alone. Get urgent help from a responsible adult or emergency/health service.
Never promise to keep suicidal thoughts or plans secret. Protecting someone’s safety is more important than keeping a dangerous secret.
09 · PRACTICAL SKILLS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Practise a Safe Response.
Divide students into small groups. A student has become withdrawn and has stopped participating in activities. A friend notices the change and decides to check on them.
I’ve noticed that you’ve been very quiet lately.
How are you doing?
Allow the person to speak without interrupting or judging.
I think we should talk to someone who can help us with this.
Did the student listen without judging?
Did they take the concern seriously?
Did they try to handle everything themselves?
Did they connect the person to appropriate support?
What could they have done differently?
10 · RESOURCE MAPPING
Know Where Help Is.
Students should identify safe sources of support available in their school and community.
The teacher or facilitator should ensure that the class has accurate, locally relevant contact information for emergency and professional mental-health services.
11 · HOW TO SUPPORT A FRIEND
Care Without Carrying the Crisis Alone.
I’m here to listen.
I’m concerned about you.
Let’s talk to someone who can help.
Check on them appropriately after they have been connected to support.
- Take responsibility for fixing their problems.
- Keep a dangerous secret.
- Leave someone alone when there is immediate danger.
- Try to provide professional treatment yourself.
- Blame or shame them.
12 · WHEN IT IS AN EMERGENCY
When There Is Immediate Danger.
If someone says they intend to kill themselves, has made a suicide attempt, or appears to be in immediate danger:
Stay calm.
Stay with the person if it is safe to do so.
Immediately involve a trusted adult or responsible professional.
Contact appropriate emergency or health services.
Do not leave the person to deal with the crisis alone.
Students should never physically intervene in a dangerous situation or put themselves at risk.
13 · EXPERT-GUIDED DISCUSSION
Learn With Qualified Support.
A qualified health professional, counsellor or other appropriately trained facilitator can lead a discussion on:
Suicide prevention
Mental health stigma
How to recognise distress
How to respond safely
Where young people can get professional help
Local referral and emergency pathways
14 · DEVELOPMENT ALIGNMENT
Connection to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Suicide prevention contributes to healthier communities by promoting mental health awareness, early support, access to appropriate care, compassion and social support.
Everyone should have an opportunity to access support regardless of their background or circumstances. Reducing stigma and encouraging people to seek help can make mental-health support more accessible.
A High Standard of Living, Quality of Life and Well-being
Preventing suicide and supporting people experiencing serious emotional distress contributes to healthier communities and improved quality of life.
Engaged and Empowered Youth and Children
Young people can contribute by looking out for one another, challenging harmful stigma, promoting kindness, encouraging people to seek help, participating in positive community activities and learning how to connect people to appropriate support.
15 · FINAL CLASS ACTIVITY
“NOTICE. LISTEN. CONNECT.”
Ask students to remember three words:
Pay attention when someone appears to be struggling.
Listen calmly and without judgement.
Help the person reach a trusted adult or qualified professional.
16 · KEY TAKEAWAYS
Remember What Matters.
Suicide is a serious issue that requires compassionate and responsible action.
Warning signs can include significant changes in behaviour, mood or communication.
Young people can play a role in prevention without becoming counsellors.
Listening without judgement can help someone feel supported.
Serious concerns should always be shared with a trusted adult or appropriate professional.
Never promise to keep suicidal thoughts or plans secret.
A person in immediate danger should not be left to manage the crisis alone.
Asking for help is a sign of courage and strength.
No young person should be expected to carry another person’s crisis alone.