'Don't be afraid to ask if someone is feeling suicidal'
On World Suicide Prevention Day, Time to Change York is urging people to end stigmas around the topic.
People in York and North Yorkshire are being urged to avoid stigmas around suicide, and to have open and honest conversations about the topic.
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day (Friday 10th September) and campaigners from Time to Change York are urging people to talk about how they're really feeling.
Emma Williams is the Project Coordinator there: "Stigma and discrimination around any aspect of mental health can be massive, and suicide is one of those big taboo topics for various reasons.
"We're really keen to promote people talking about how they really feel. We've got a series of blogs written by our Time to Change Champions that we'll be sharing.
"One of the blogs involves someone asking their colleague if they're feeling suicidal, and another blog from someone talking about having suicidal thoughts.
"Think about having some contact numbers with you in case the person says they are feeling suicidal. Sit and listen, and don't try to 'fix' them. Have that discussion with the person and ask them if it'd be helpful to chat to their GP or the Samaritans.
"Don't skirt around the issue: ask someone 'are you thinking of taking your own life?' Then it's not ambiguous. We don't want to stigmatise people or judge people; historically people have said 'you're not going to do anything silly, are you?' That can really trivialise what is a very serious issue.
"Don't fear the answer as well. Often as human beings we want everybody to be well and happy - and that's the answer we're looking for. However, that's why there's so much stigma around suicide, as people can put on a front and not share why they're not feeling okay.
"More people die from silence than from a conversation that doesn't quite go the way you want it to".
Hazel is a Time to Change Champion: "If you're worried about someone then the best thing to do is to speak to them. Try to ask open questions because that encourages them to speak.
"Don't be scared to ask 'are you feeling suicidal?' People are worried that asking that puts the idea in their head, but research and our own experiences shows it doesn't.
"Quite often the person wants you to ask so it can start a conversation about a topic that they're scared to broach themselves.
"People seem to have this idea that if you're at complete crisis point then it'll be obvious to those around them, but in a lot of cases people can put on a front and hide it very well.
"I've written a blog: people have an assumption that suicide is automatically linked to depression, but my own experience isn't from that - I suffer from anxiety and psychosis.
"My blog is about not making the assumption that it's definitely a depression basis. I can understand why people think that, but I want people to know that there are other thought processes going on".
In an emergency call 999
Otherwise – speak to your GP
Call Samaritans on 116 123
Text SHOUT to 85258
Find Local services via www.hubofhope.co.uk