More than half of us wouldn’t always answer honestly if a friend or family member asked if they were feeling down, according to a new study by national suicide prevention charity If U Care Share. The survey of 1,000 UK adults found that almost a quarter of people in the UK would not tell the truth if a friend or family member asked if they were feeling down, while an additional 30 percent said they would only answer honestly sometimes.
Women aged 25 – 34 were most likely to keep how they were feeling on the inside with 30 percent of those surveyed saying that they would not say how they were really feeling to friends and family and an additional 33 percent revealing that they would only open up ‘sometimes’.
Young men aged 18 – 24 were also unlikely to say how they were really feeling with 27 percent saying they would not tell anyone, and a huge 30 percent answering only ‘sometimes.
World Suicide Prevention Day takes place on September 10, 2022 and If U Care Share is encouraging people from across the UK to go Inside Out and share how they are really feeling. The campaign aims to start conversations and save lives by asking people across the UK to simply wear an item of clothing inside out for the day from September 5 to 10, post a picture or video on social media tagging @ifucareshare and using #askmewhy #GoInsideOut2022.
Matthew Smith, founder and chief operating officer at If U Care Share said, “The If U Care Share Foundation was set up to support those bereaved by or at risk of suicide and preventing any family from experiencing what we felt when we lost my brother, Daniel. The Inside Out campaign is now in its 7th year and in 2022 it is more important than ever to raise awareness of the support that is available, both for individuals and families. As a charity we are here to support communities, save lives and prevent suicide and we want as people across the UK as possible to take up the challenge and go inside out this year with us – if even one more person sees our message and accesses the help that they need it will have been worth it.
“Feeling helpless, worthless or hopeless are common feelings associated with feeling suicidal and often those thoughts can be overwhelming and prevent you from feeling anything else. With pressures like the cost of living crisis impacting individuals and families, it is more important than ever to encourage people close to us to talk about their feelings and access the support that is available. As well as longer-term emotional support we have a 24/7 text service which is there for people who need to talk.”
If U Care Share provide practical and emotional support to those affected by suicide as well as individual support to those deemed to be directly at risk. They aim to prevent and reduce the incidence of suicide by providing training and raising awareness across the UK.
Chris Thubron lost his son Liam in 2019 and has been supported by the charity. He said, “If U Care Share have been a rock through this time, not just for me but for my daughter, my other son and the whole family. The support team all have lived experience of what I am going through which can’t be taught and they have been a constant support through my grief journey. My support worker has really helped me to open up and talk about how I was really feeling on the inside, especially during lockdown when I was feeling very low.”
To find out more about the charity and access support visit www.ifucareshare.co.uk and if you are worried about something, talk to a trained volunteer via a free, confidential and 24/7 text service by texting IUCS to 85258.
Businesses who would like to pledge their support to go Inside Out with their teams this September can register for a free information pack at https://bit.ly/3BAwqKT
