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IT can happen to your sister, brother, mum, dad, son, daughter, friend, colleague - suicide doesn't discriminate.

It tears lives apart and often feels like it came out of the blue, with no warning at all to those left behind.

Suicide does discriminate - it can affect anyone
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Suicide does discriminate - it can affect anyoneCredit: Getty - Contributor

It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Common life events, like a death in the family, divorce and redundancy can leave people feeling vulnerable and trigger mental health issues.

Anyone can be affected, but we can all do our bit to help prevent deaths from suicide.

That's why The Sun has launched the You're Not Alone campaign, to remind those in the grips of mental illness that there is hope. And to encourage people to watch out for the warning signs a loved one could be in trouble.

In the UK men are three times more likely to take their own lives than women
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In the UK men are three times more likely to take their own lives than womenCredit: Getty - Contributor

The Sun's You're Not Alone campaign aims to help prevent deaths from suicide

EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost - to suicide.

It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Yet, it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

That is why The Sun has launched the You're Not Alone campaign. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, over the course of this week, we will tell you the stories of brave survivors, relatives left behind, heroic Good Samaritans - and share tips from mental health experts.

The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others.

You're Not Alone.

For a list of support organisations, see box below.

Something as subtle as a change in attitude, or a friend withdrawing from the group, could be a key warning sign something is wrong, experts told The Sun Online.

But a simple, "are you OK?", could make all the difference, Lorna Fraser of the Samaritans said.

"The most important thing to remember about suicide is that it is preventable," she said. "And while experiencing suicidal feelings or thoughts can feel very intense, the feelings are treatable and they will pass.

"That's really important because very often when people are in that place they can't see that will be possible.

"They've lost sight of getting to a point where life will feel OK, because right now it feels like life will never be OK again."

Suicidal thoughts are often the result of problems building up, Lorna explained.

The most important thing to remember about suicide is that it is preventable. While experiencing suicidal feelings or thoughts can feel very intense, the feelings are treatable and they will pass

Lorna Fraser, Samaritans

When a person feels they can't cope, hopeless, frustrated and alone, they can believe there is no other way out.

But we can all do our bit to help, Lorna added.

The key signs your loved one is at risk of suicide

One of the signs someone might be at risk of suicide is excessive drinking or drug use
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One of the signs someone might be at risk of suicide is excessive drinking or drug useCredit: Getty - Contributor

There are several warning signs that a person is at risk of suicide.

But it's vital you know that they won't always be obvious.

While some people are quite visibly in pain and become withdrawn and depressed, others may continue their life as normal pretending everything is fine.

Look out for subtle personality changes in friends and family, especially if you know they have been going through a tough time, Lorna told The Sun Online.

These are the key signs to watch out for:

  1. A change in routine, such as sleeping or eating less than normal
  2. Lacking energy or appearing particularly tired
  3. Drinking, smoking or using drugs more than usual
  4. Finding it hard to cope with everyday things
  5. Not wanting to do things they usually enjoy
  6. Becoming withdrawn from friends and family – not wanting to talk or be with people
  7. Appearing more tearful
  8. Appearing restless, agitated, nervous, irritable
  9. Putting themselves down in a serious or jokey way, for example 'Oh, no one loves me', or 'I'm a waste of space'
  10. Losing interest in their appearance, not liking or taking care of themselves or feeling they don't matter

    We spoke to suicide survivors and this is what they want you to know

What should you do if you think someone is at risk?

Something as simple as having a coffee with a friend to ask if they are OK can make all the difference
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Something as simple as having a coffee with a friend to ask if they are OK can make all the differenceCredit: Getty - Contributor

Asking someone if they are OK can feel daunting, especially if you suspect they aren't.

The easiest thing to do is to look the other way and hope someone else asks instead.

But, stepping up and asking the question could make all the difference. It shows you care, that you're there to help and reminds them they are not alone.

"It's really important for us to be aware of the warning signs that so we aren't blindsided by suicide risk," Lorna said.

There is no right thing to say, necessarily, it's just about having that conversation with someone and letting them know you're there for them if they want to talk

Lorna Fraser, Samaritans

"It's vital we look out for each other, that people are more comfortable talking about these things and starting those conversations.

"Very often people are quite reluctant to do that, they might think that someone they know might be going through a difficult time and they are worried about them but often they may feel they don't really know what to say.

"They might be worried about opening up that conversation, are they opening up a can of worms, are they going to make the person feel worse? So people are often apprehensive to dive in and speak to them about it.

"But actually we encourage that because you won't make that person feel worse."

You're Not Alone: Where to seek help if you need it

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

  • CALM, , 0800 585 858
  • Heads Together,
  • Mind, , 0300 123 3393
  • Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
  • Samaritans, , 116 123

Letting someone know they have somewhere to turn to, a shoulder to cry on, a person to vent at, someone who will listen can help lift a weight from their shoulders.

"When somebody is really struggling with life often a person noticing that they are going through a difficult time and reaching out to offer help and being prepared to listen to them, it can be an extremely powerful sense of release," Lorna added.

"There is no right thing to say, necessarily, it's just about having that conversation with someone and letting them know you're there for them if they want to talk.

"We need to make these part of an everyday, normal conversation so there isn't such a barrier when it comes to talking about mental health.

"Even if you just ask someone 'are you OK?', gives a simple yes or no answer.

"You could also say things like 'I've noticed you've been going through a rough time lately, do you want to talk about it?' - it's just about letting them know you are there if they want to talk."

The life-changing relief of talking to someone...

The simple act of letting someone know they are not alone can help them cope with their intense feelings
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The simple act of letting someone know they are not alone can help them cope with their intense feelingsCredit: Getty - Contributor

As the saying goes: A problem shared is a problem halved.

It might sound silly, especially when talking about something as devastating as suicide, but it really will help you if you are feeling down.

"It can be incredibly powerful to share your problems with somebody else, whether that is someone you know, a family member or friend or whether that's talking to someone on a helpline or whether it's going to see your GP and organising professional help," Lorna said.

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"It can bring such a huge relief to talk to people and share what is going on.

"We add a lot of pressure to our own situations. If you imagine if you've suffered some life events that are causing great difficulty you are already under pressure and having to cope with that, but we add to that by making ourselves feel that we need to hold it all together and paint this picture that everything is OK.

"That just adds too much pressure to a situation that is already difficult to cope with and there is no need for people to do that.

"You are not alone, there is always somebody you can talk to who can help you."

 

 

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