Feeling suicidal

Feeling suicidal? Can't keep yourself safe?

Suicidal feelings can be terrifying, and you can feel really alone. You may have reasons for dying, but you also have reasons for living.

Are you in imminent danger of taking your own life?

Have you already harmed yourself or taken an overdose? Can you no longer keep yourself safe? Do you have imminent plans for killing yourself? Do you know when and how you will do it?

If you are experiencing any of the above you should take action now. Call 999. The call is free. Explain what is happening to you. You can ask to stay on the line while you wait for help to arrive.

Do you have a care plan or key worker?

Find your care plan now. Contact the people identified as being your support in times of crisis. Read the section on what helps you when you are in crisis. If you already have a key worker, support worker, Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) or Social Worker you should contact them. They will already know you and will be best placed to start helping you. If you don't know their contact details, contact us and we'll help you find the right number.

How do I get help?

If you don’t feel in immediate danger of killing yourself but are frightened by the thought that you might, you could:

Visit your GP and contact your key worker, if you have one.
Out of normal GP working hours in Cumbria you can contact CHOC for help or contact the NHS 111 Service
Contact the Samaritans, who are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or other helplines listed below.

Read Mind's information about coping with suicidal feelings and How to Cope in a Crisis

Talking can help

Remember, talking can really help – choose someone you can share your feelings with, someone you trust. This might be a good friend, a relative or a work mate. Try and choose someone that you feel could help you and will offer you time and understanding.

If you’re finding it hard to find the words, you might want to speak to someone who is trained to listen. The organisations listed below can help. You don't have to be suicidal. You can talk to them about whatever's getting to you, in your own way, and off the record.

Samaritans

Available around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to talk about whatever is getting to you.

visit website

HopeLineUK

Specialist helpline service for children, teenagers and young people up to 35 who are worried about how they feel

visit website

CALM

The CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) helpline provides support, information and signposting for men anywhere in the UK

visit website

Why me?

Suicidal feelings can be terrifying and you can feel really alone. Don’t forget the way you feel right now can happen to anyone.

There can be many reasons for thoughts of suicide or killing yourself, like shame, guilt, blame or worthlessness. You could feel that life is not worth living and unbearable, you may have suffered some loss or life changing circumstances that make you feel like death is the best solution.

You may have reasons for dying but you also have reasons for living.

Lots of people have thoughts of suicide but the good news is that there is help out there and many organisations that really want to help you sort out how you feel and offer you support to discover reasons for staying alive.

Downloads

Mind - How to support someone who is feeling suicidal (436 KB)

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Feeling suicidal