September is Suicide Awareness Month…a time to speak about something that can be incredibly difficult to put into words.
Suicide is a subject many of us are uncomfortable discussing. We may worry about saying the wrong thing. We may not know how to respond when someone tells us they are struggling. Sometimes, we simply don’t realise how much pain someone is carrying.
But silence can leave people feeling even more alone.
At Tommy Jarman Funeral Services, we spend much of our time supporting families through grief and loss. We understand just how precious a life is and how deeply one person can be woven into the lives of many others.
This September, we want to encourage a simple message:
Talk. Listen. Check in. And when someone needs more help than you can give, help them find it.
Emotional distress doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.
Someone may continue going to work, looking after their family, laughing with friends and carrying on with everyday life while privately struggling.
There may be changes you notice: withdrawing from people they care about, seeming unusually hopeless or overwhelmed, talking about feeling like a burden, dramatic changes in mood or behaviour, or saying things that make you concerned about their safety.
Sometimes there may be no obvious signs at all.
That’s why checking in with the people around us matters.
It doesn’t need to be a perfect conversation. A simple, “You’ve seemed a little quiet lately. How are you really doing?” can create an opportunity for someone to talk.
When we suspect someone is struggling, it can be tempting to avoid the subject because we’re frightened of making things worse.
But compassionate, direct conversation can help someone feel seen.
You can ask:
“Are you feeling safe at the moment?”
Or, if you’re genuinely concerned:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
Then give them space to answer.
You don’t need to have all the right words. You don’t need to solve everything they’re going through. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can offer in that moment is your presence and your willingness to listen without judgement.
Try not to rush into advice or tell them why they “shouldn’t” feel the way they do.
Instead, you might say:
“Thank you for telling me.”
“I’m here with you.”
“We don’t have to figure everything out right now. Let’s find someone who can help.”
Supporting someone doesn’t mean carrying their pain alone.
Mental health professionals, counsellors, doctors and crisis services can provide support that friends and family members aren’t equipped to provide, and helping someone connect with that support can be one of the most caring things you do.
If someone tells you that they are considering suicide, take them seriously.
Stay with them if you can, encourage them to contact a crisis service or healthcare professional, and seek urgent help if you believe they are in immediate danger.
LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia provides nationwide crisis support through its helpline services. Its counselling centre offers telephone and face-to-face counselling, with crisis support available around the clock.
For urgent emergencies in Namibia, the Namibian Police emergency number is 10111.
One conversation matters. So does the next one.
If someone has opened up to you about struggling, send them a message tomorrow. Call them later in the week. Invite them for coffee. Sit together without expecting them to talk.
A simple:
“I’ve been thinking about you. How are you doing today?” can remind someone that they haven’t been forgotten.
Support doesn’t always need to arrive in the form of a grand gesture. Often, it looks like consistency; showing up, listening and reminding someone that they don’t have to face a difficult season entirely on their own.
Suicide doesn’t affect only the person who is struggling.
Families and friends who have lost someone to suicide can experience an incredibly complicated form of grief. Alongside sadness, there may be shock, anger, guilt, unanswered questions and endless thoughts about what might have been done differently.
If this is part of your story, please treat yourself gently.
Grief after suicide doesn’t follow a timetable, and there is no single “correct” way to process such a profound loss. Speaking with a counsellor, grief professional, trusted friend, faith leader or support group can provide a safe place to work through what you’re carrying.
And if you know someone grieving a suicide, don’t disappear because you don’t know what to say.
You don’t need perfect words.
Sometimes, “I’m thinking of you. I’m here if you need me,” is enough.
Suicide Awareness Month reminds us that conversations about mental health shouldn’t be reserved for September.
Check on the friend who always seems strong.
Make time for the family member who has become unusually quiet.
Listen when someone tells you they’re struggling.
And don’t be afraid to ask for help yourself.
There is strength in reaching out, and there is compassion in noticing when someone else may need a hand.
At Tommy Jarman Funeral Services, we believe every life carries a story, every person matters, and every family deserves to be treated with dignity and care.
This month, may we make a little more room for honest conversations, compassionate listening and looking out for one another.
You never know how much a simple “How are you, really?” might mean.
If you or someone you know is struggling or experiencing a crisis, please reach out for professional support.
LifeLine/ChildLine Namibia provides free crisis and counselling support nationally. Its published information lists 116 and 106 among its toll-free helpline services.
In an immediate emergency: Call the Namibian Police on 10111 or seek assistance from your nearest hospital or healthcare facility.
Windhoek Central Hospital also provides specialist mental-health services, while mental-health services are available through other public health facilities in Namibia.
We know how it feels to lose a loved one, to feel lost and confused.
That is why our dedicated team will treat you and your loved one with dignity and care.
Our compassionate team will gently lead you through all the steps necessary to honour your lost loved one and provide honest expert advice in your time of need.
