The main goals of suicide first aid are to keep someone safe, reduce immediate risk, and connect them with professional help. In higher risk settings such as construction, knowing how to spot warning signs and start a calm, supportive conversation can be life saving.
Across all workplaces, suicide first aid builds confidence to respond well in a crisis. Training shows people how to assess risk, agree a short-term safety plan, remove immediate dangers where possible, and signpost to the right support. Faster, informed responses save lives and reduce the impact on individuals, families, and teams.
Suicide first aid is the immediate support given to someone who may be thinking about suicide or showing warning signs. The aim is to keep the person safe in the moment, listen without judgement, and link them to ongoing help. It is not counselling. It is practical, compassionate action while professional care is arranged.
In construction and other high-pressure environments, quick recognition and a clear plan matter. Training helps staff notice changes in behaviour or mood, ask direct questions about suicide, and follow defined steps to manage risk and escalate appropriately.
Core actions include staying calm, listening, assessing immediate risk, agreeing a short-term safety plan, restricting access to means where it is safe to do so, contacting emergency services if there is immediate danger, and connecting the person with support such as a GP, occupational health, or specialist helplines. Common warning signs can include talking about hopelessness, withdrawing from others, drastic mood changes, or giving away possessions. Suicide first aid training gives teams the language, skills, and confidence to act quickly and safely.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.
