Get 24/7 support whenever you need it
- Call Samaritans on 116 123
- Text Shout on 85258
- Call Papyrus HopelineUK on 0800 068 4141
- Hub of Hope
- Stay Alive App
- In an emergency call 999
Feeling suicidal?
Suicidal thoughts are far more common than people realise and can happen for lots of different reasons. With the right help and support, your feelings will change and you can overcome your suicidal thoughts.
It’s important to talk
You may have experienced a life changing event or you might not know why you feel this way.
Sometimes people feel so low that life seems unbearable. Others feel they can’t cope with what they are going through and just want the pain to end.
If you feel like this, help is available and you can get through this. You deserve help and with time you’ll find that life is worth living. Telling someone how you’re feeling is the first step to getting help, staying safe and getting through this.
Talking about your feelings may feel scary or embarrassing but please don’t suffer in silence. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. Tell a friend, family member, work colleague, GP or anyone else you can trust.
Some people find speaking to a stranger easier. Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you 24/7, just call 116 123.
Things you can do to help right now
Here are a few things you can do when suicidal thoughts feel overwhelming.
Call the Samaritans on 116 123
Whatever you are going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Talk to someone
Tell a friend, family member or someone you trust how you are feeling.
Speak to your GP
Your GP can refer you to NHS mental health services or a local crisis team. If it’s out of hours, call NHS 111.
Keep yourself safe
If you have a safety plan, follow it. Remove anything that you could use to harm yourself and go to a safe space in your home or go see someone who can help keep you safe.
If you can’t keep yourself safe, call someone or 999 in an emergency.
Focus on your breathing
Take deep breaths and breathe slowly. Concentrate on the sensation of breathing in through your nose, and out through your mouth.
Get through the next minute
Remind yourself that you’ve coped this far. You can get through the next minute, five minutes, an hour, a day. Break time down into small chunks of time and focus on getting through those next few moments.
Avoid alcohol or drugs
You might feel that it will help right now, but it will make things harder.
Do something you usually enjoy
Try and distract yourself. You could watch TV, go for a walk, cook a nice meal, draw a picture, exercise, do some gardening, listen to music, call a friend, or anything else you usually enjoy.
If you’re worried that you can’t keep yourself safe
Go to your nearest A&E or call 999 if you can’t get to a hospital.
Helping yourself long term
Talk to your GP
If you’ve not already spoken to your GP, book an appointment. Your GP can refer you to get support and may discuss medication that can help.
It can be useful to plan what you’re going to say or you may prefer to write down how you are feeling. You could also take someone with you for extra support.
It’s really important that you are honest and tell them that you’ve been experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Connect with others
Reach out to friends and family to keep connected with the people you care about. You could also join a peer support group, either online or in person, to meet others who really understand.
Look after yourself
Try to eat and drink healthily, get enough sleep and exercise if you can. Try to avoid drugs and alcohol.
Plan your day
Sometimes, life can feel more manageable when you have a routine. Try to get up and go to bed at the same time each day and plan in activities that you enjoy doing, or used to enjoy doing.
Make a safety plan
A safety plan will remind you of what you can do to keep safe.
Read more about safety plans
Shining a light on suicide
The website has been commissioned by NHS Greater Manchester. The aim of the Shining a Light on Suicide campaign is to prevent suicide and provide support information for those bereaved by suicide and those dealing with suicidal thoughts.
