Advice for taking care of your mental health

This information is designed to help people to adopt a healthier lifestyle through taking some simple steps. It includes why changes should be made and the support available to help achieve it. Here we are looking at Suicide prevention.

Help for suicidal thoughts

If you're feeling like you want to die, it's important to tell someone. Help and support is available right now if you need it. You don't have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. You could phone a helpline. These free helplines are there to help when you're feeling down or desperate. Unless it says otherwise, they're open 24 hours a day, every day. There is also a range of support available online.

For everyone:

• Central Access Point (greatmentalhealthllr.nhs.uk) 
  • Call freephone 0808 800 3302 - 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Samaritans (samaritans.org)
  • Call 116 123
  • Email jo@samaritans.org
• Start a conversation (startaconversation.co.uk)
  • Suicide prevention website for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (including support for those bereaved by suicide)

For men:

• Campaign Against Living Miserably (thecalmzone.net)
  • Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
• Visit the webchat page (thecalmzone.net)

For people under 35:

• Contact papyrus hopelineuk (papyrus-uk.org)
  • Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm. Text 07786 209697
  • Email pat@papyrus-uk.org

For children and young people under 19:

• ChildLine (childline.org.uk)
  • Call 0800 1111 – the number won't show up on your phone bill

Talk to someone you trust

Let family or friends know what's going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe.
There's no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what's important.

Who else you can talk to?

If you find it difficult to talk to someone you know, you could:

• Call your GP – ask for an emergency appointment
• Call 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need

Important

Is your life in danger?

If you have seriously harmed yourself, for example, by taking a drug overdose, call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E.

Or ask someone else to call 999 or take you to A&E.

Tips for coping right now

• Try not to think about the future – just focus on getting through today
• Stay away from drugs and alcohol
• Get yourself to a safe place, like a friend's house
• Be around other people
• Do something you usually enjoy, such as spending time with a pet

Talk to someone you trust. Let family or friends know what's going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe. There's no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what's important.

Worried about someone else?

If you're worried about someone, try to get them to talk to you. Ask open-ended questions like: "How do you feel about...?" Don't worry about having the answers. Just listening to what someone has to say and taking it seriously can be more helpful.

Last updated: 21/06/2023 08:16