I'm worried they may be thinking about suicide

Are they under 18? The urgent actions above still apply. For age-specific support, see NHS support for children and young people. PAPYRUS HopeLine also supports people worried about someone under 35. If you are under 18 and supporting someone else, see young-carer rights and support.

Ask directly

If they say yes, Samaritans advises taking them seriously, listening and encouraging them to talk. PAPYRUS suggests:

If you are uncertain how immediate the danger is, call 111 or the relevant urgent service and explain exactly what has been said and what you have observed.

While you get help

• Listen without arguing, lecturing or listing reasons they should be happy.
• Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts secret.
• Involve professional help and, where possible, another trusted person. Do not try to become their only source of safety.
• Mind says it may help to reduce access to things a person has mentioned they might use to harm themselves. Do not put yourself in danger or take sole responsibility for keeping someone safe.
• If the situation changes or you can no longer keep anyone safe, call 999.

If they ask you not to call anyone

PAPYRUS advises against promising secrecy when someone may be at risk. If there is immediate danger, follow the NHS instruction to call 999 or go to A&E. If you are unsure whether urgent help is needed, call the relevant urgent mental-health service and describe the situation.

What urgent services may ask

Be ready to say where the person is, whether they are alone, what they have said, whether they have hurt themselves, whether anyone is in immediate danger, and whether they already have a GP, crisis team or mental-health service.

You do not need to conduct your own detailed assessment before calling.

Someone to talk to

These services provide emotional support. They are not substitutes for 999 in an emergency.

• Samaritans: 116 123. Free to call at any time.
• Shout: text SHOUT to 85258. Available 24 hours a day. Replies may take longer when busy. If danger is imminent, call 999.
• PAPYRUS HopeLine 24/7: 0300 102 2470. For people under 35 and those worried about them. Call for the quickest response. Text and email replies can take up to 24 hours.

After the immediate crisis

You may feel frightened, shaky, angry, guilty or exhausted. Speak to someone you trust, contact a listening service for yourself, and do not take on the entire support role alone.

When the person is safer, a safety or crisis plan should be made with them, not about them. It can record warning signs, what has helped before, who they want contacted and which professional services are involved.

Here for Someone has not clinically reviewed this page. Each safety instruction is attributed to public NHS or specialist-charity guidance through the links beside it.

Sources checked: 26 August 2026