Stigma and suicide

• “In my view, for workplaces to be truly supportive, staff and managers should feel able to ask the question of their colleagues about suicide and then respond in an appropriate way, such as through signposting for support.” NSPA Lived Experience Influencer, Andy Willis, shares how having a conversation about suicide in the workplace can help organisations become truly supportive.
• “Stop discriminating” Led by Samaritans, the Suicide Prevention Consortium (which includes the NSPA, Support After Suicide Partnership and WithYou) have been exploring suicide and stigma in Roma, Showmen, Gypsy and New Traveller communities. This has included speaking directly with people from these communities to understand their experiences and share what was important to them, including what they want policymakers to know about suicide and stigma, via a series of audiograms. Find out about more this work and hear the audiograms.

• Roma Support Group’s Mental Health Project aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of Roma community members. The project focuses on empowering community members to communicate more openly about mental health issues and suicide to reduce stigma and misinformation.
• Farming Community Network in Somerset are a voluntary organisation and charity, supporting farmers and families within the farming community. They run a confidential national helpline and e-helpline providing a listening service specifically for the farming community.

Starting a conversation about suicide:

• This resource from Leeds Beckett University provides guidance on how to start a conversation about suicide and what to do if someone says they are suicidal.
• It’s normal to feel anxious about starting a conversation and making small talk but it can help people who are struggling to open up. This Small Talk Saves Lives resource by Samaritans includes advice on the signs someone might need help, how to get started, what to do next and how to look after yourself.
• Talking Faith in Suicide Prevention by Faith Action aims to support faith-informed conversations about suicide prevention and postvention with members of the public. It is designed to support general prevention conversations.. It was developed in collaboration with representatives of six faith traditions, as well as front-line workers and people with lived experience, including NSPA Lived Experience Influencers.

Talking about suicide online:

• Whether it’s on social media, forums, or even in a private chat with friends, the way we talk about suicide online can have an impact on ourselves and others. This online safety guidance from Samaritans shares top tips for talking about suicide safely online.

Supporting others: 

• Our Save a Life cards provide some tips on how to look after yourself and others.
• This resource from Mind explains how to support someone who feels suicidal, giving practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support.

Reducing stigma in racialised communities:

• Black people in the UK are more likely to experience mental health problems yet less likely to get the right support. Better mental health for society cannot be achieved without better mental health for Black people. This is why the Black Mental Health and Wellbeing Alliance are launching the Black Mental Health Manifesto. This sets out a clear vision and practical steps towards a just society where Black people can thrive, and their mental health is supported in a way that places their identity at the centre.
• One of the core missions of Sehhat is to highlight the impact of suicide within the Punjabi and South Asian Communities. They have developed bilingual resources for communities to be able to approach conversations, learn about suicide, and give advice on how to prevent suicide.
  Sehhat and the Sikh Forgiveness project developed a study to understand how Punjabi communities can tackle the need for better support relating to suicide.

Talking about bereavement by suicide:

• Talking about suicide helps to reduce stigma and this short guide by Support After Suicide Partnership aims to help people feel comfortable to reach out and offer support to someone bereaved by suicide.

Reducing stigma in the workplace:

• This resource by som (supporting occupational health and wellbeing professionals),  provides evidence-informed guidance and recommendations for organisations to respond to the death by suicide of a colleague, or the unexpected death of a colleague from other causes. The guidance draws on high-quality sources from research and practice and was developed through consultation with experts from various fields. It aims to help organisations navigate the complexities and sensitivities involved in such tragic events, ensuring they provide the support required to maintain a healthy and compassionate workplace.

• Talking really does matter: Lay perspectives from older people on talking about suicide in later lifeThis study explores the barriers and opportunities for discussing suicidal thoughts among older adults. The findings highlight the importance of more informal discussions around these topics and how care professionals, practitioners, and providers might frame opportunities for dialogue with people who may want to access support.
• Barriers to help seeking in suicidal men: A systematic literature reviewThis paper explores how self and societal appraisals may impact help-seeking behaviours in men experiencing suicidal ideation.

• Samaritans’  Small Talk Saves Lives Campaign: This behaviour-change campaign encourages help-seeking. The campaign aims to give people the tools to intervene if they see someone they think may be struggling. The campaign includes a ‘How to start a conversation page‘ and other resources.
• Baton of Hope: Baton of Hope is about opening up a national conversation about suicide to help eradicate stigma. The first Baton of Hope took place in 2023 and was the UK’s largest suicide prevention initiative.