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- If life's at risk When there's immediate danger to life. Call 999
- Samaritans Free to call, any time, for anyone struggling. Call 116 123
- Prefer to text? Free and confidential, any time. Text SHOUT to 85258
- NHS 111 in England and Wales Choose option 2 for mental health. Free, 24 hours a day. Call 111
- NHS 24 in Scotland Choose the mental health option. Free, 24 hours a day. Call 111
Checking in
Most of us notice when someone isn't quite themselves. The hard part is knowing what to do about it.
SLICE is a simple five-step guide to checking in on someone. It works for anyone at the club: a playing partner, a member of staff, a volunteer or a friend at the bar. You don't need to follow it to the letter. Think of it as a few reminders for a conversation that can feel awkward.
Draft lessons, examples and activities, awaiting clinical review.
SLICESpot the signs
Notice when someone might be going through something.
People rarely come out and say they're struggling. It's more likely to show up as a change in them.
This step is about noticing. You're not diagnosing anything, just paying attention to someone you know. It takes you through it in three parts.
Worried about their safety? If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.If they mention suicide or self-harm
Where a change can show up
Signs can be small. What you're looking for is a change from how that person normally is.
You won't see all of these, and you don't need to. One or two that last is enough to notice.
Three places to notice a change
On the course
- Not turning up to their usual game, or playing on their own more
- Struggling to concentrate
- Quieter, shorter-tempered or just not quite themselves
In the clubhouse
- Drinking more, or starting earlier
- Pulling away from their usual group
- Saying “yeah, fine” when they don't seem it
- Or louder and more over the top than usual
In conversation
- Mentioning poor sleep, stress or things being hard at home, then quickly changing the subject
An off day, or something more?
One sign on its own doesn't tell you much. The question to ask yourself is whether it's a one-off or a pattern.
How to tell the difference
Everyone has off days. One quiet round or short answer on its own is usually just life.
A change that lasts or keeps building over a few weeks is more worth paying attention to.
You might be wrong, and that's fine.
You don't need to be sure before you take the next step. Noticing is enough of a reason to ask.
Why it's worth noticing anyway
Noticing and being wrong is better than missing something that mattered.
Checking in on someone who turns out to be fine does no harm.
What to do next
- 1Keep an eye on whether the change lasts.
- 2If it does, move on to step 2, Lean in.
In short
- Look for a change from how they normally are.
- One off day is life. A pattern is worth noticing.
- You don't have to be sure.
This week, notice whether anyone at your club seems different from how they normally are.
If they mention suicide or self-harm
Take it seriously. Stay with them, and ask them directly whether they're thinking about suicide. Asking won't put the idea in their head.
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
- Samaritans: call 116 123, free, any time.
- Shout: text SHOUT to 85258.
Look after yourself too
Supporting someone can be draining. It's fine to set limits, and to talk to someone you trust, as long as you keep their personal details private. If you're at the club in a role, your Lead or welfare officer can support you too.
Need help now?
If life's at risk Call 999
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Need help now?
- If life's at risk When there's immediate danger to life. Call 999
- Samaritans Free to call, any time, for anyone struggling. Call 116 123
- Prefer to text? Free and confidential, any time. Text SHOUT to 85258
- NHS 111 in England and Wales Choose option 2 for mental health. Free, 24 hours a day. Call 111
- NHS 24 in Scotland Choose the mental health option. Free, 24 hours a day. Call 111