What to Do if You See a Suicidal Post
On rare occasions, you may see a post from another user that suggests they are feeling suicidal. The guidance below explains how you can respond.
The Different Strokes Facebook page is monitored every day of the year. However, as we are a small team, it is not monitored 24 hours a day.
During weekday daytime hours (Monday to Friday), posts are usually seen quickly. Posts made in the evening may not be picked up until the next morning.
At weekends and on public holidays, we check the page a few times a day, but there may still be a delay. Because of this, the best way to respond can depend on the time and day.
If you see a post during weekday daytime hours, please contact our admin team. You can do this by:
- Sending us a direct message via our Different Strokes Charity Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/differentstrokescharity
- Reporting the post to an admin, as this helps draw our attention to it more quickly
- Email us at info@differentstrokes.co.uk
If you see a post outside of office hours, you may wish to:
- Report the post to Facebook using the steps at the bottom of this page
- If there is an immediate risk of harm, call 999. If possible, provide their location and details of what has been said. Please note there may not always be enough information for the police to act, so reporting via Facebook may sometimes be more effective
- Reporting the post to an admin, as this helps draw our attention to it more quickly
- If the person says they have already taken action to end their life, encourage them to call 999 or go to A&E
- Share support details such as Samaritans (116 123) or advise them to call 111 and select option 2
- Post a supportive and compassionate reply
To report a post on Facebook:
- Click the three dots (…) in the top right-hand corner of the post
- Select “Find support or report post”
- Choose “Suicide or self-injury”
- Follow the steps to submit the report
Your response can make a real difference, so please act if you feel someone may be at risk.
At the same time, please remember to look after yourself when engaging with these types of posts. Reading or responding to distressing content can be upsetting. If you find something has affected you, please speak to someone you trust or reach out for support.