Every day, armed forces charities and support organisations help people navigate challenges such as trauma, operational stress, injury, bereavement and transition. While these experiences can affect wellbeing, suicide prevention is not about being a mental health expert. It is about building trust, recognising strengths, having compassionate conversations and feeling confident enough to ask the question that could save a life.
When concerns about suicide arise, it is vitally important to ask directly. A simple evidence-informed framework is:
- NORMALISE: “Sometimes when people are going through experiences like the ones you’ve described…”
2. REFLECT BACK AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE ASKING:“…and say things like ‘I can’t carry on’, - ASK:“…they are thinking about suicide. Are you thinking about suicide?”
Evidence shows that asking directly about suicide does not increase risk and can create an opportunity for honest conversation. If someone discloses suicidal thoughts, the priority is not to fix the problem or provide quick solutions. Instead, take a strengths-based approach: listen carefully, acknowledge distress, explore what has helped them cope in the past, identify supportive relationships and work together to understand what will help them stay safe for now.
The latest NHS guidance encourages a compassionate, person-centred approach that focuses on understanding an individual’s experiences, strengths and support needs, rather than trying to predict risk or categorise people into “low”, “medium” or “high” risk groups. Collaborative, relational support and safety planning is key, recognising that trust and hope are built through partnership rather than intervention alone.
Perseverance is also important. People may not be ready to accept support immediately, particularly if they have experienced trauma or have learned to cope on their own. By remaining curious, compassionate and persistent, armed forces support organisations can help people feel understood, connected and supported to access the help they need.
Tools such as our FREE Stay Alive app can also support these conversations, providing immediate access to personalised safety plans, coping strategies, sources of support and guidance for both individuals in distress and those concerned about someone else.
https://stayalive.prevent-suicide.org.uk/
Key links and resources:
You can find an extensive list of support resources on our free Stay Alive app, available for you or anyone you are worried about: www.stayalive.app/find-help-now
Home – First Hand (if impacted by suicide as a professional)
Our web-site, which has information on myths, facts, how to respond and examples of what to say and do Suicide Prevention Hub – Grassroots Suicide Prevention
Our FREE, award-winning resources for schools to download and teach about suicide prevention: Breaking the Silence https://prevent-suicide.org.uk/breaking-the-silence/
For further information or to enquire about specialist suicide prevention training for the armed forces, please contact Joanna Johnson, Senior Trainer and Partnerships Manager, Grassroots Suicide Prevention joanna@prevent-suicide.org.uk
