Enabling Conversations: Suicide Prevention Scotland releases new resource with young people, for young people

Trigger warning: this article discusses suicide and suicidal thoughts.

Suicide Prevention Scotland has released ‘Enabling Conversations,’ a guide developed with young people, for young people, who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Enabling Conversations is a toolkit to support young people expressing feelings of distress – whether around suicide, self-harm, or emotional pain – in ways they feel safe and in control.

It offers choices. Feeling heard can come with writing, drawing, or other forms of expression than just talking.

It’s a guide that helps the young person with several things, including:

• Who is a “safe person” to share this wit
• Where they can feel secure enough to open up
• What small grounding strategies can help when everything feels overwhelming
• How to frame what the young person wants to say, helping pick up words or methods that feel right to them

The toolkit was co-designed with V&A Dundee alongside young people. Digital versions are available.

“Emotional pain can be hard to navigate”

Suicide Prevention Scotland acknowledge the difficulty in the worry of talking to someone about suicide in case you are treated differently: “We call this stigma”

Parents and friends may worry about “getting it wrong,” which this guide addresses directly by giving tools and structure to reduce that anxiety.

You can find out more on the Suicide Prevention Scotland website.

If you are ever in immediate danger or have the means to cause yourself harm you should call 999.

If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or feel like you want to end your life right now, it is important to know that you’re not alone.

HOPELINE247

Call 0800 068 4141 | Text: 88247

SHOUT

Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258

Childline

Phone 0800 1111 for children and young people under 19. This service is open 24/7.