Self-harm and suicide

Illustration of a person in a purple shirt sitting at a table with a yellow mug, receiving a supportive hand on theirs.

How one man saved 160 lives with an extended hand and a warm cup of tea

Directed by Alec Green and Finbar Watson

Photo of a man praying next to a large religious painting in a church with ornate columns in the foreground.

Why religious belief provides a real buffer against suicide risk

Under-recognised as a protective force against suicide, religious faith has multiple features that help to save lives

by David H Rosmarin

Close-up photo of hands holding a silver wristwatch with a white dial and black numerals on a black background.

The violence of suicide reverberates in, and through, us all

A psychodynamic perspective on suicide can help us all reckon more honestly with the interconnectedness of psychic pain

by Kyle Boyd

Photo of a woman in profile with glasses, backlit by warm sunlight through a window, creating a soft, serene atmosphere.

Stuck in a loop of worrying thoughts? Here’s how to stop it

Dwelling on your difficulties might feel like problem-solving, but it can be pernicious. There are tools to stop the habit

by Megan L Rogers

Photo of a person pushing a pram on a winding path in a park at sunset with city skyline and power lines in the background.

Advance directives for mental illness raise deep ethical questions

Created by people with mental illness when they are well, self-binding directives anticipate a shift to unwell thinking

by Tania Gergel

Photo of a person holding a smartphone, face rested on their hand, illuminated by blue and red light.

Suicide risk and social media: is it a landmine or a lifeline?

Analysing the specific experiences, not just overall usage, is key to understanding the risks and benefits of social media

by Jacqueline Nesi

Photo of two people sitting in a field overlooking a river and trees with one wearing a hat and the other in a denim jacket.

When all looks bleak, hopebuilding strategies offer a lifeline

Hopelessness is a major link in the chain that leads to suicide. Strategies to nurture hope are key in the prevention toolkit

by Kathryn Gordon

Abstract painting of a figure in orange sitting by a window with light coming through.

How to support someone who is self-harming

A person harming themselves is not attention-seeking but attention-needing. Reach in and show them you’re listening

by Rory O’Connor & Ellen Townsend

Medieval painting of a sad woman with long hair holding a sword to her chest, with onlookers behind a wall in the background.

Suicide in Medieval England was not simply a crime or sin

Like the slow engraving of an imprint on stone: compassion and care for those struggling with suicide in medieval England

by Rebecca F McNamara

Blurred photo of a nurse in green uniform pushing a hospital gurney with a patient in a yellow blanket for urgent care.

What working in emergency care taught me about suicide risk

Most who die by suicide were considered to be at low or no risk. We need a new framework for understanding the dangers

by Gavin Tucker

Photo of two people hugging on a grassy field with a scenic backdrop. The person on the left wears an orange jacket.

How to talk to a suicidal friend

Twice as many people worldwide die from suicide as from homicide. Here’s how to help your loved ones back from the brink

by Lindsay Weisner

Close-up of a person’s hands using a smartphone at night, with blurred city lights in the background.

Into the unknown, together

Six months into working a suicide helpline, I became a better conversationalist — and friend

by Natalia Dashan

Photo of a person lying in bed under soft light and shadows, with focus on their neck and shoulder.

Why poor sleep can lead to self-harm and suicide at university

Late nights plus exam pressure equals poor sleep. Is that why university students face higher risks of suicide and self-harm?

by Kirsten Russell & Donna Littlewood