1. Suicide warning signs
2. Ask Directly
“Are you having thoughts of Suicide?”
3. Explore & assess the risk level
“Why do you feel this way, have you felt it before?” Do they have a PLAN, MEANS, or TIME SET?
4. Find out about prior behaviour
Previous attempts?
Risk‐taking behaviour?
Self‐harm?
5. Find out about supports
MHFA Helpful Questions Assisting in Crisis - Suicidal Thoughts
Family, friends, professionals?
Existing treatments?
Crisis plans?
1. Ensure own personal safety
2. Ensure the person is not left alone if high risk
3. Seek immediate help:
Emergency GP visit, 999 or take to A&E. Samaritans 116 123
4. Discourage acute alcohol/drug use
5. Try to limit access to means to take life
6. Encourage the person to talk
(Follow L in ALGEE). Don’t give advice or deny their feelings
7. Consider helping create a support plan
8. Remember—confidentiality does not apply to suicide.
1. If unsure what it is—call 999
2. If sure, try to move to a quiet, safe place, mind personal space
3. Stay calm—it’s infectious. Speak clearly and slowly
4. Acknowledge terror feels real
5. Reassure the person they’re safe and symptoms will pass
6. Get the person to focus on something non‐threatening
7. Ask what would help (if possible)
1. Ensure own safety, attend to basic needs, and seek help
2. Introduce yourself, remain calm, and caring, and communicate as equal
3. Normalise their reactions (normal to abnormal events)
4. Protect from sights or bystanders etc
5. Don’t force a person to talk/relive trauma but listen if they want you to
6. If the stress reaction continues for more than 1 month, encourage professional help
1. Ensure own safety
2. Contact emergency help. Explain person has mental ill health and needs help
3. Follow mental health crisis card/advance directive if available; find out who the person trusts and get their help
4. Don’t leave the person alone
5. Stay calm, speak quietly, in short sentences
6. Empathise, be reassuring and concerned (hallucinations can cause extreme fear and distress), but don’t pretend they’re real for you
7. Comply with reasonable requests and try to de‐escalate the situation
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