Suicide Prevention in Hounslow

Suicide Awareness Training

Be Their One

Click on the image or here to take the 30-minute Zero Suicide Alliance suicide awareness training.

It only takes one person to save a life. 

Hounslow and Hillingdon Council’s joint campaign asks, if someone comes to you in distress, could you Be Their One? 

It’s not always easy to talk about someone’s mental health, especially when they are distressed or in crisis. By taking the free, online Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) training, you can gain the confidence to talk to someone who expresses an intention of suicide and the knowledge to help. 

The training has now been updated, taking onboard people’s feedback, and according to ZSA, the new training “shares information to help people recognise when someone may be struggling, and shares ideas for how they can approach a potentially life-saving conversation with them.”

It only takes around half an hour to complete and is recommended for anyone 16 and above.

"If someone has expressed an intention of suicide, don't leave them alone. It is a complex thing to be able to help someone with intentions of suicide. I would recommend any course that offers training for people to understand suicide.”

How to support Be Their One

If you would like to receive digital and printable resources to support the campaign, including posters, A5 flyers, wallet cards, and graphics you can use for any social media and newsletter content, please contact Hywel Roberts, Senior Communications Officer, Public Heath, Hounslow Council, to arrange free delivery.  

Background to Be Their One

In Hounslow there were 14 cases where people were suspected to have died by suicide between 31 August 2023 and 1 September 2024. Of those cases, it was later revealed that five of those who died had told at least one person of their intention to kill themselves before they passed away. 

This prompted Hounslow Council and its partners to take action and raise awareness of the ways residents can prepare to have these conversations. The more people feel confident and comfortable talking to people who are suicidal, the greater chance we all have of saving someone in distress. 

What residents are saying about Be Their One

Catherine, who lost her brother to suicide recently, said:

“My brother John had a lovely smile and big blue eyes, made everyone happy and we would always have a laugh together. He had such a presence about him and was a real character; full of love. I miss him so much. 

“As the cliché goes, ‘he was the last person in the world that you would think of to die from suicide’ We never suspected a thing and it came as a huge shock when we learnt that he lost his life through suicide.

“It’s vital that people take training to understand how to talk to people who are suicidal. Just like we are trained in using defibrillators and how to save people’s lives when they are having a heart attack, it is equally as important to be able to deal with suicidal ideation.

“The Zero Suicide Alliance training gives people the tools to know what to do if and when a situation arises. The scenarios in the training show how to discuss concerns with a colleague at work or a family member. Knowing what to do in different situations really helps. 

“Being able to talk openly about how people are feeling is an important starting point and the Zero Suicide Alliance training provides that.”

One West London resident who lost her son to suicide recently, and who asked to remain anonymous, said:

“My son killed himself in February this year following abuse from people close to him. All alarm bells and red flags should be seriously considered when there is stress for a person like this. Self-isolation and low mood are red flags. In my son's case they were ignored.

"If someone has expressed an intention of suicide, don't leave them alone until urgent help is found. Talk gently to them and reassure them. It is a complex thing to be able to help someone with intentions of suicide. People should know where to look for help. I would recommend any course that offers training for people to understand suicide.”