Suicidal thoughts can happen to any of us, at any time. Often people start noticing these thoughts after a traumatic or stressful event in their life but sometimes there’s no obvious trigger.
Who you are, what you feel and what has happened or is happening in your life does not change the fact that there’s help available. Whether you’ve just started to notice or have had similar thoughts for a long time you can change things for the better, today.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or out of control you can try these practical tools from Mind. Find out what you can do to help yourself cope and how you can distract yourself.
You can also read advice on how to cope with suicidal thoughts from Rethink Mental Illness.
For everyone – open 24 hours.
Phone: 111 and choose the mental health option
For everyone – open 24 hours.
Phone: 116 123
For children and young people under 19 – open 24 hours.
Phone: 0800 1111
For everyone – open Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am and Friday 6pm to Monday 6am at weekends.
Phone: 0800 83 85 87
For men – open 5pm to midnight every day
Phone: 0800 58 58 58
For anyone who identifies as LGBT+ – open 10am to 10pm every day
Phone: 0300 330 0630
For everyone – open 24 hours
Webchat: samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/chat-online/
For children and young people under 19 – open 24 hours
Webchat: childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/
For men – open 5pm to midnight every day
Webchat: href=”https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/”>thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/
For anyone who identifies as LGBT+ – open 10am to 10pm every day
Webchat: switchboard.lgbt
If you struggle with suicidal thoughts or are supporting someone else, it may help to make a safety plan to use if you need it.
The Staying Safe website provides information on how to make a safety plan, including video tutorials and online templates to guide you through the process.
You can also get information on planning for a mental health crisis from Mind