Trigger warning: Please be mindful, this writing is about suicide, there are going to be mention of suicide and suicidal thoughts and self harm.
Written by Tony
; it is not a case I’m starting this article with a Semicolon.
This small punctuation mark—in grammatical terms—represents a place where a sentence could end, but continues on. This meaning has been transferred to suicide awareness and prevention as a symbol for battling through suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Over 700,000 people take their own life each year – that’s one person every 40 seconds (World Health Organization) 115 people die by suicide in the UK every week – with 75% of those deaths being male (ONS) 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts (NHS Digital) 1 in 14 people self-harm (NHS Digital).
I’m familiar with the shame you might feel, the desire to not share this with people close to you for fear of being judged and misunderstood when saying you have suicidal thoughts. There is no shame in asking for help, I wouldn’t be here writing this if I didn’t ask for help in the first place. That is why roles like mental health first aiders and help lines were created.
It might be helpful to ask for help from someone you don’t know personally. Suicidal thoughts can originate for different reason, they can also be helped, intervention support and recovery are possible.
Nobody should feel like they are not worth asking and receiving help.
We cannot assume someone’s thoughts it’s vital we keep talking about Mental health and Suicide awareness.
How can we help people with suicidal thoughts?
First of all educate ourselves on the topic, share posts and information, join suicide awareness and mental health training at work or in your free time.
Talk openly about Mental health because if we erase the stigma around mental health we can significantly help people act early on depression, anxiety and mental health problems.
Be Kind to yourself.
Helplines in the UK
SANEline.
If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK:
Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day).
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM):
You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
Shout:
If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
The Mix:
If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK:
If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (24 hours, 7 days a week), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
Nightline:
If you’re a student, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.
Switchboard:
If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
C.A.L.L:
If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7)
Samaritans:
To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day)
PIP Suicide prevention Ireland:
Freephone: 0800 088 6042
(9am-9pm Mon-Fri & 10am-6pm Sat-Sun)