WE ARE COMMITTED TO POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH &

A ZERO SUICIDE SOCIETY THIS IS OUR ONLY MISSION STATEMENT.

Early Warning Signs & What To Look For

Increased Isolation: Withdrawing from friends, family, and social activities.

Dramatic Mood Swings:

Noticeable changes in mood, such as severe anxiety, agitation, or anger.

Changes in Sleep Patterns: Insomnia, oversleeping, or frequent nightmares.

Changes in Eating Habits:

Sudden weight loss or gain, changes in appetite.

Loss of Interest:

Losing interest in hobbies, work, school, or other activities once enjoyed.

Risky Behavior:

Engaging in dangerous activities without concern for safety

Substance Abuse:

Increased use of alcohol or drugs.

Giving Away Belongings: Distributing prized possessions to others.

Saying Goodbye:

Unusual or unexpected goodbyes to friends and family.

Self-Harm:

Engaging in self-injurious behavior, such as cutting or burning.

Sudden Calmness:

If a person who has been very anxious or depressed suddenly becomes calm, it can be a sign that they have made a decision to end their life and feel relieved about it

Giving Away Possessions:

The person might start giving away valuable or sentimental items without a clear reason, which can be a sign they are preparing for their absence.

Talking About Death:

Frequent discussions about death, dying, or suicide. Expressions of Hopelessness:

Statements indicating feelings of hopelessness or having no reason to live.

Feeling Trapped:

Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.

Being a Burden:

Expressing feelings of being a burden to others.

Planning for Suicide:

Directly or indirectly mentioning plans or methods to commit suicide.

Seeking Means:

Looking for ways to end their life, such as searching for firearms or medications.

Subtle Hints:

Vague statements like “You won’t have to worry about me much longer” or “I just can’t see a way out.”

Talk of Escape:

References to wanting to escape from their life or responsibilities.

Indirect Expressions of Goodbye: Indirectly saying goodbye through comments like “You’ve been a great friend” without a specific context.

Indirect References to Death or Suicide:

Comments such as "I wish I could just disappear," "I can't take this anymore," or "Everyone would be better off without me" can be indirect ways of expressing suicidal thoughts.

They Are Nearly Always there - It's About Raising Awareness - So You Know What To Look for

Depression:

Persistent sadness, crying spells, or a sense of despair.

Anxiety:

High levels of anxiety, panic attacks, or excessive worrying.

Irritability:

Increased irritability or angry outbursts.

Lack of Energy:

Chronic fatigue, low energy, or feelings of sluggishness.

Guilt or Shame:

Expressing excessive guilt or shame about themselves or their circumstances.

Feeling Worthless:

Indicating feelings of worthlessness or excessive self-criticism.

Changes in Personal Care:

A decline in personal hygiene or a disregard for physical health can be a sign that someone has lost interest in self-care.

Increased Absenteeism:

Skipping work or school more often than usual, or a decline in work performance, could indicate withdrawal and a loss of motivation

Sudden Cheerfulness:

A sudden shift towards a positive mood after a period of depression could be a sign that someone has made a decision and feels a sense of calm before the storm.

It's important to remember:

These signs can be indicative of other issues as well. Use them as prompts for concern, not definitive indicators of suicide risk.

Download The Warning signs

Behavioural Changes

Emotional and Psychological Signs

Verbal Signs/Indicators

Recent suicide statistic's(UK)

These figures represent the need the fight is far from over and we must move towards a zero suicide society.

four person sitting on bench in front of body of water

What is it like for males?(UK)

The male suicide rate was 16.1 per 100,000 compared to a female suicide rate of 5.3 per 100,000 over 3 times men suffer!

Males aged 50-54 were found to have the highest suicide rate (23.1 per 100,000).

Specific Concerns:

Middle-aged Men:

Middle-aged men in lower socio-economic groups are a particularly high-risk group for suicide.

Occupation:

Certain professions, like construction, farming, and veterans, have higher suicide rates.

Complexities in Minority Groups:

Suicide rates can vary within minority groups due to additional factors like discrimination and social isolation.

Mental Health Challenges:

Limited Access to Services:

Demand for mental health services often outstrips available resources, leading to long waiting times for treatment.

Stigma:

Stigma surrounding mental health conditions can prevent people from seeking help.

Men's Mental Health:

Men are less likely to seek help for mental health problems compared to women.

Concerns around the government 5 year suicide prevention strategy:

Funding and Resource Allocation:

Adequacy of Funding:

There's concern that the current funding increases may not be sufficient to address the long-standing issues within mental health services, leading to continued access limitations.

Prioritisation of Early Intervention:

While early intervention is crucial, some worry that a focus on this area might neglect vital support services needed by individuals already experiencing severe mental health struggles that could lead to suicidal thoughts.

Reaching High-Risk Groups:

Tailored Strategies:

Concerns exist about reaching high-risk groups like middle-aged men, specific professions, and minority communities effectively. These groups might require tailored interventions and support networks beyond the general strategies outlined.

Stigma and Awareness:

Will the strategies adequately address the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage help-seeking behaviour within these high-risk groups?

Long-Term Sustainability:

Maintaining Momentum:

There's a worry that the government's commitment to suicide prevention might wane over time, leading to a lack of sustained resources and support.

Data and Evaluation:

How will the effectiveness of the implemented strategies be measured? There's concern that without robust data collection and analysis, it will be difficult to adjust and improve the approach in the long run.

Additional Considerations:

Social Determinants of Mental Health:

Will the strategy address the social and economic factors like poverty, unemployment, and social isolation that contribute to mental health issues and suicide risk?

Workforce Shortages:

The current mental health workforce might be insufficient to support the growing demand for services created by the strategy.

Overall, while the government's strategy includes positive steps, concerns remain regarding its long-term effectiveness and ability to reach all high-risk populations.

Government Initiatives:

Suicide Prevention Strategies:

The UK government has implemented suicide prevention strategies focusing on early intervention, improving access to services, and reducing stigma.

Please see below for some concerns around the Government strategy.

Mental Health Funding:

There have been efforts to increase funding for mental health services, but these may not be enough to meet the growing demand.

Watch this powerful video on men and suicide:

"Talking about your suicidal thoughts can feel scary, but it's the bravest thing you can do. "There are people who care about you and want to help."