Suicide Prevention - Breaking the Silence
Suicide is preventable, and hope is possible. This article outlines the warning signs, protective factors, and simple ways anyone can make a difference - from reaching out and listening, to evidence-based therapies and community connection.
Why Suicide Prevention Matters
Suicide is a leading cause of death in Australia, but it is preventable. Research shows protective factors like strong relationships, belonging, and access to timely care make a life-saving difference (Stephenson, 2021).
Warning Signs
Some common warning signs include:
- Talking about hopelessness or feeling like a burden.
- Withdrawing from friends, work, or activities.
- Major changes in mood, sleep, or behaviour.
- Giving away possessions or saying goodbye.
Small Steps that Help
You don’t have to be a professional to make a difference. You can:
- Reach out - a simple “How are you, really?” can open the door.
- Listen with warmth - you don’t need to fix, just be present.
- Suggest a walk or shared activity - connection heals.
- Try reflective practices like [The Anatomy of Peace Breathing] - focusing on lungs and breath to anchor in the present.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (Resick et al.) shows how shifting ‘stuck points’ in thinking restores hope and reduces risk. With connection and compassion, recovery is possible.
👉 Learn more: https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/psychology-topics/suicide-prevention
Further Reading / Try This:
• Try the Cyclic Sighing Breathing Exercise (5-min reset) – see resource: Cyclic_Sighing.pdf
• Practice the 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise to return to the present – see resource: 54321_Grounding.png
• Explore mindfulness and meditation practices – see resource: Mindfulness_Workshop.pdf
• Reflect with The Anatomy of Peace Breathing – see resource: Anatomy_of_Peace.pdf
• Support adolescent wellbeing and identity – see resource: Building_a_Powerful_Self.docx
If you're struggling and need immediate assistance, please call Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 or emergency services on 000 – Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Other service helplines:
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
- Mensline: 1300 78 99 78
- Relationships Australia: 1300 364 277
- Gamblers Help Line: 1800 858 858
- Directline (Alcohol and Drugs): 1800 888 236
- Domestic Violence: 1800 RESPECT – 1800 737 732
- Butterfly National Helpline (eating disorders and body image): 1800 33 4673
References & Further Reading
Australian Psychological Society. (2023). Suicide prevention. Retrieved from https://psychology.org.au/for-the-public/psychology-topics/suicide-prevention
Beck, A. T. (1967). Depression: Clinical, experimental, and theoretical aspects. University of Pennsylvania Press.
Gilbert, D. T., & Killingsworth, M. A. (2010). A wandering mind is an unhappy mind. Science, 330(6006), 932.
Hassed, C., & Atkins, P. (2012). Mindfulness workshop. Mindfulness in daily life and work applications.
McEwen, B. S. (2004). Protection and damage from acute and chronic stress: Allostasis and allostatic overload. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1032, 1–7.
Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. W. W. Norton & Company.
Resick, P. A., Monson, C. M., & Chard, K. M. (2016). Cognitive Processing Therapy for PTSD: A Comprehensive Manual. Guilford Press.
Stephenson, T. (2021). Building a powerful self-identity: Why it matters for adolescents. Unpublished manuscript.
Stanford University Study on Cyclic Sighing Breathing (2023).
Achor, S. (2010). The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work. Crown Business.
Roedel, J. (2019). The Anatomy of Peace. Retrieved from https://www.johnroedel.com/