A great deal of people experience suicidal thoughts at some time or another in their lives but feeling actively suicidal is somewhat different and is very frightening and overwhelming.
If you are feeling suicidal right now then there is help available. Talking about your thoughts and feelings is the first step. Often feeling suicidal comes with a desire to isolate yourself and a fear that no one will understand what you are feeling but sometimes just telling someone what you are thinking about doing can be a great relief. You might be concerned that if you tell your friends and family you will upset them or they will not hold what you’ve told them in confidence, in which case you might feel safer talking to someone at one of the helplines below.
It is important to remember that usually the unbearable desperation that you feel during a suicidal crisis will pass and it will be easier if you are able to get some support while you are in it. So please do try to talk to someone: a friend, family member, your GP or contact one of the helplines below for support and advice:
Maytree is a sanctuary for people in suicidal crisis. Their helpline is open 24hrs a day – if no one answers leave a message and someone will get back to you as soon as possible. Many of their volunteers have struggled with suicidal feelings themselves and have first hand experience of getting through a suicidal crisis. Their number is 020 7263 7070or you can email them at maytree@maytree.org.uk
Papyrus runs HOPELineUK – a specialist telephone helpline service staffed by trained professionals. It is open Monday-Friday from 10am-5pm and 7pm-10pm and from 2pm-5pm on Weekends. Their number is 0800 068 41 41 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Samaritans is the largest UK based helpline and they are open 24hrs a day. Their number is 08457 90 90 90 or you can email them at jo@samaritans.org
Some other useful resources are:
Mind’s booklet on How to Cope with Suicidal Feelings.
The Samaritans webpage – I Want to Kill Myself
The NHS guide to Suicide – Getting Help
Connecting with People – U Can Cope film (22min film shares inspirational stories and focuses on three people for whom life had become unbearable but who found a way through with support) and this page Staying safe if you’re not sure life’s worth living. Connecting with people also have links to three useful booklets from the Royal College of Psychiatrists:
Feeling on the Edge? Helping you get through it.