Are you feeling suicidal? Around 1 in 5 of us has had suicidal thoughts at some point*. You may feel very lonely right now, but you are definitely not alone.
*Source: OPCS Surveys of Psychiatric Morbidity 2007
“Having suicidal thoughts is nothing to be ashamed of. You are NOT alone. . . Please tell someone how you’re feeling"
Coping with suicidal thoughts
Having suicidal thoughts is nothing to be ashamed of.
Suicidal feelings can be terrifying.
If you are thinking about killing yourself, you may be feeling frightened, desperate, guilty or hopeless. You may be feeling all these feelings, and more. Feeling this way can make it very difficult to believe that anyone, or anything, can help. But you can challenge these feelings. You can choose to live and there are people who can help you with that.
You can survive this and stay safe:
There are people you can talk to and things you can do that will help you through feeling suicidal.
Talk to someone:
Are you feeling suicidal? You don’t have to keep these feelings to yourself and it’s OK to ask for help. Many people who have felt suicidal say that talking to someone else about these distressing thoughts and feelings was the first step to feeling better.
Call a helpline:
If you don’t feel able to speak to someone close to you, use one of the helplines below. That’s what they’re there for. They help thousands of people who are going through hard times every single day.
Keep yourself safe:
Agree with yourself and someone else that you won’t act on your suicidal thoughts while further help is being arranged. This includes removing any means of killing yourself, especially if you already have a plan in mind. It’s OK to talk openly about this.
Be aware:
Alcohol and drugs can often make things worse. It might be tempting to “drown your sorrows” but it may make you more likely to act on suicidal thoughts.
Get help:
If you are feeling desperate and unsafe, make an urgent visit to your GP, dial 999 or go to A&E and tell them exactly how your are feeling. No one is saying it will be easy – but keep holding the hope that it will get better.
Remember:
People DO get through this.
Helplines
NHS First Response Service (FRS)
NHS First Response Service (FRS), across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, provides 24-hour access, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to mental health care, advice, support and treatment.
By calling 111 and selecting the mental health option, you will be put through to a member of the FRS who will speak to you and discuss your current mental health needs.
Papyrus
Advice for young people (35 and under) at risk of suicide
0800 068 4141 (24 hours every day of the year – Weekends and Bank Holidays included)
88247 (SMS)
Papyrus also has translation services available.
Samaritans
116 123 (Freephone, 24 hour helpline)
www.samaritans.org
Lifeline
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Helpline
0808 808 2121 (Freephone)
11am to 11pm, 365 days a year.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
For those personally affected by suicide
0300 111 5065 (9am to 9pm)
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
A charity dedicated to preventing male suicides
0800 58 58 58 (5pm – midnight every day)
www.thecalmzone.net
Switchboard
National telephone/email/online chat for the LGBTQIA community
Telephone 0800 0119 100
Open 10:00-22:00 every day
Or email hello@switchboard.lgbt – they aim to reply within 5 days
switchboard.lgbt
Shout
Many autistic people find communication and speaking difficult and it can be even harder if you’re stressed, tired or overwhelmed.
Shout offers a free, confidential and 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs support.
Text HEAR to 85258
NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has partnered with SHOUT to offer support to anyone in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough who is in distress.
Mental health text line – HEAR 85258
Launched by NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and in partnership with the national service SHOUT, the free to use text service HEAR 85258 provides real-time support to people of all ages who are struggling with their mental health.
When texting the word HEAR to 85258, the person will be connected to a mental health clinician who will take them from a place of crisis to a place of calm. During the confidential and anonymous conversation, the texter will be supported and signposted to local and national mental health services.
Texting HEAR to 85258 is free, discreet and it runs 24/7. It won’t appear on any bills and requires no app, password or registration. It is available for anybody who lives, works, or studies in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
For more information about what mental health services are available in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, visit www.keep-your-head.com.