Managing Mental Health Crisis or Suicidality
We work with people who may be facing a wide range of emotional, psychological, and social challenges. Some of those we support may experience thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or a mental health crisis. This policy explains how we respond – with compassion, care, and safety at the centre of everything we do.
This policy applies to everyone involved in our work: staff, volunteers, peer supporters, and participants. It covers all our services – from peer support to assessments, therapy referrals, and online spaces.
🚨 What We Mean by “Crisis”
A mental health crisis might include:
Thoughts of suicide, of no longer wanting to live, or a desire to die
Urges to self-harm or take risky actions
Feelings of being overwhelmed, hopeless, or unsafe
Disconnection from reality (e.g. dissociation or psychosis)
A sense that someone is at immediate risk of harm – to themselves or others
Crisis looks different for everyone. What matters most is how the person feels, and what they need to feel safe.
🧑🤝🧑 We Are a Supportive Community – Not a Crisis Service
AuDHD UK is not a crisis service, and we are not able to offer 24/7 or emergency support. We are a peer-led charity offering support, guidance, and signposting. Our Urgent Help page can help you find the right service for someone who is struggling.
That said, we do not walk away from people in distress. If someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, we will respond with empathy and help them access the right support.
❤️ How We Respond – Core Principles
Whether the crisis is shared in a group, 1:1 conversation, or email, we aim to respond with:
Compassion – We meet distress with kindness, not judgement.
Calm – We don’t panic or escalate unnecessarily.
Clarity – We explain what we can and can’t do.
Safety – We prioritise immediate wellbeing while staying within our remit.
We aim to hold space while gently guiding the person towards professional or emergency support if needed.
📋 Steps We May Take
If someone is experiencing or expressing suicidal thoughts or crisis:
Acknowledge and validate – We respond with care, not alarm. Example: “Thank you for telling me – I’m really sorry things feel this hard right now.”
Assess risk – Without doing a clinical assessment, we may ask gently if the person feels safe or has a plan to harm themselves.
Encourage support – We signpost to crisis helplines, GPs, A&E, or mental health teams as appropriate.
Set boundaries – We explain if we are not able to provide ongoing or out-of-hours support.
Discuss consent – If a safeguarding concern arises, we will explain what information might need to be shared and ask for consent where possible. In urgent cases, we may need to act without consent to keep someone safe.
Follow up – If appropriate, we check in later, offer resources, or let a safeguarding lead know.
If there is immediate danger and we have identifying information, we may contact emergency services – but this is rare and handled with great care.
🧠 Looking After Ourselves and Each Other
Supporting someone in crisis can be emotionally intense. If you're a volunteer, peer supporter, or staff member:
You are not expected to manage crisis alone
You can take a break or step back after a difficult situation
Supervision or check-ins are available for support and reflection
You should pass concerns on to the safeguarding team where needed
Your wellbeing is important. Looking after yourself is a vital part of safeguarding.
📱 Online and Group Settings
When crisis concerns are shared in a WhatsApp group, video session, or other online space:
Facilitators may intervene and guide the conversation away from distressing content
Triggering content may be removed with care and a follow-up message sent privately
Participants may be encouraged to take a break or seek external support
Peer supporters may offer a quiet check-in, but are not expected to take responsibility alone
We balance compassion for the individual with care for the wider group.
🔐 Consent, Confidentiality, and Safeguarding
We respect and prioritise confidentiality. However, in situations where someone is at risk of serious harm, we may need to share limited information with a safeguarding lead, emergency contact, or appropriate service.
We will:
Always seek the person’s consent before sharing information, where possible and safe to do so
Explain what will be shared, with whom, and why
Still act without consent if there is immediate danger, or if withholding information would likely cause serious harm
Accept written or verbal consent, including confirmation by email, where appropriate
Consider joining a support group or service as a form of implied consent, while still encouraging participants to review our safeguarding policies
Record all safeguarding decisions and reasons using the Safeguarding Concern Report Form
Consent and confidentiality are treated with care – but safety comes first.
🧭 When to Refer to Safeguarding
Please refer to a safeguarding lead if:
You are concerned about someone’s immediate safety
Someone expresses suicidal thoughts and seems unable to stay safe
A person under 18 or a vulnerable adult is involved
You’re not sure what to do and need guidance
Our safeguarding team is here to support you as well as the person in distress.
📄 Reviewing and Learning
Every time we respond to a crisis or potential suicide risk, we aim to learn from it.
We reflect as a team on what went well and what could be improved
We update our guidance, training, and policies as needed
We listen to feedback – including from people with lived experience
This work is sensitive and evolving. We aim to do it with humility and care.
🌱 Final Thoughts
Talking about suicide or crisis can be heavy – but it’s also an act of hope. At AuDHD UK, we believe no one should face those moments alone.
Thank you for being part of a community that looks out for each other.
Last updated: 22 April 2025