Stigma around suicide
While attention and support for mental health and mental illness continue to grow, the stigma around suicide continues.
Read moreSupporting someone to get help
Looking after someone who is suicidal can be a difficult and overwhelming experience. After you’ve talked to them about how they’re feeling, the next step is to support them to get help and deal with these feelings, keeping them safe.
Looking after someone who is suicidal can be a difficult and overwhelming experience, but you do not need to do it alone. There are ways you can get help.
After you’ve talked to them about how they’re feeling, the next step is to support them to get help and deal with these feelings, keeping them safe.
Get help from professional support
The Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 provides immediate support to anyone feeling suicidal. In addition, they can provide ongoing support with up to three telephone counselling sessions. The Suicide Call Back Service also offers online counselling.
See our Accessing professional help page for a list of other support options available to help someone who is suicidal.
If they are reluctant to get help
- Be clear that you are unable to provide sufficient support on your own and you need to bring in extra support from a professional.
- Remind them that their safety is the ultimate priority, and professional support will help keep them safe.
- Normalise the idea of seeking help as much as possible.
- If they’re reluctant to see someone face to face, online counselling can be a non-threatening way to get support. The Suicide Call Back Service offers online counselling to people at risk of suicide.
- If you are comfortable, offer to accompany them to their first appointment to support them.
- It may also help to let your loved one know that accessing professional support will help both of you.
In an emergency
If you are with someone who is in immediate danger, or concerned for their safety in any way:
- Call 000 and request an ambulance. Stay on the line, speak clearly, and be ready to answer the operator’s questions
- Visit your local hospital’s emergency department.
If you are worried about someone, and need someone to talk to, call the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 to speak to a counsellor.
If it is an emergency, please call 000.
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