Are you having suicidal thoughts? Here at STOP Suicide, we want to let you know that there are people out there who will help and support you: there are ways to cope with suicidal thoughts. Hold off from making any decision – you don’t have to keep these thoughts to yourself. It’s OK to talk to someone, even if it’s small steps with a close family member, friend, work colleague or by speaking to someone on a helpline.
Having suicidal thoughts is nothing to be ashamed of. Around 1 in 5 people have had or will experience suicidal thoughts* at some point in their lives. You can get through this.
Here are helpful tips on ways to cope with suicidal thoughts and free helplines that you can call.
Ways to cope with suicidal thoughts:
We all have different ways of coping when times are tough. It is important to focus on what keeps you motivated. If you are unsure where to start, here are a few tips that you can try:
- Create a safety plan: Staying Safe offers compassion, kindness and easy ways to help keep safe from thoughts of harm and suicide, seek support and discover hope of recovery through powerful videos from people with personal experience. The website provides vital ‘Safety Plan’ guidance tools jointly funded by NHS England, with easy-to-print / online templates and guidance video tutorials. These are designed to help you through the process of writing a Safety Plan and develop positive ways to cope with stress and emotional distress.
- Connect with someone you trust in-person or over the phone: Taking this step can make you feel vulnerable and it can be daunting at first. Sharing how you are feeling over the phone or in-person might be the first time you have acknowledged how you are feeling. It can help you understand these thoughts. The person you are speaking to may be able to help with wellbeing tips on how to feel better.
- Breathing exercise: Try breathing in through your nose and out from your mouth. Then repeat as much as you need. If you are based locally, did you know Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire (CPSL) Mind have Calm Spaces where you can visit if you need space and tranquillity? If you are unable to attend an online or in-person session, go outside and try some breath work.
- Write down positive achievements: Noting down achievements is a way of keeping your mind feeling relaxed. One accomplishment can be ‘I made myself a healthy lunch today’. Another one can be ‘I sorted out my unwanted clothes to be upcycled’. Making small or big achievements can make you smile.
- Being creative: Drawing or painting has a potential to allow you to improve your focus or assist with processing emotions. Try throwing on your favourite song as you grab your pens, pencils or paint brushes to immerse yourself in the moment.
- Join an online peer support group: Search for a local online peer support group space. If you’re based in Cambridgeshire or Peterborough, CPSL Mind offers peer support groups to share lived experiences of mental health. This helps in understanding what others are going through so that you don’t feel like you’re alone. To find out more, please visit the peer support groups page.
- Keep yourself safe: Agree with yourself and someone else that you won’t act on your suicidal thoughts while further help is being arranged. It’s OK to talk openly about this.
Get help now
Anybody can experience crisis. You may be overwhelmed by your emotions, feeling gripped by anxiety, hearing or seeing things that are frightening you or experiencing suicidal thoughts. There is nothing to be ashamed of and communicating to someone could be your first step in feeling better. If you are feeling unsafe, make an urgent visit to your GP, dial 999 or go to A&E and tell them exactly how you are feeling.
There is a variety of freephone helplines that you can use to talk to someone in a safe space.
NHS First Response Service – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (UK) only. 111, select the mental health option (24/7 helpline)
Samaritans – 116 123 (24-hour helpline)
Lifeline – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (UK) only. 0808 808 2121 (7pm – 11pm every night)
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – A charity dedicated to preventing suicides- 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight every day)
Papyrus – Advice for young at risk of suicide. 0800 068 4141 (HOPELineUK helpline) (Mon – Fri: 10am – 10pm, weekends: 2pm – 10pm and bank holidays: 2pm – 5pm)
Remember you are NOT alone… Please tell someone how you’re feeling. You can survive this and stay safe.
Now you have tips on ways to cope with suicidal thoughts and helplines to call, find out more about STOP Suicide, resources and how you can help someone who is suffering alone and needs their voice to be heard, please visit the website stopsuicidepledge.org.
* Mental health and wellbeing in England: Adult psychiatric morbidity survey 2014.