Trigger warning suicide ⚠️. How to help a friend

[Helpfriend]

How to hell a friend who has mentioned that they have been very depressed and have had thoughts of ‘things being better without them’ that they can’t go on etc. Not in immediate danger I don’t think but not sure what to do for the best.

I have invited them to stay at our house (it’s not massive but they can stay as long as they need)

Offer to be there if they want to speak to their GP.
Send them the Samaritans number for their phone.
Look after yourself too as it can be hard.

On the Samaritans website there is a suicide prevention plan, you could go through it with your friend, it might help as it takes some of the fear out of thinking the worst and allows your friend to plan strategies to keep them safe when not in a crisis.

Sorry on the website it is called safety plan. www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/supporting-someone-suicidal-thoughts/creating-safety-plan/

If they are under 35 year Papyrus charity can help and they have an online suicide safety plan www.papyrus-uk.org/help-advice/hopelink/