Community Organisations

What you can do to help prevent suicide

Identifying why a person attempts or completes suicide can be difficult. However, there are a number of risk factors and warning signs for suicide, and knowing what to do when you recognise them can make a difference. If someone you know has a current or specific plan for suicide, and has immediate access to the way to kill themselves, they are at high risk for suicide.

In this situation you must:

• Act quickly and don’t leave the person alone.
• Ensure the person does not have access to lethal weapons and medications.
• Inform the person you must act on the information and inform others.
• Get immediate help from mental health crisis services. See In Crisis for contact details.
• In an emergency, call 111.

If your organisation has principles and guidelines for responding to people at risk of suicide, include those in your response.