If your life is at risk right now: call 999 or go to A&E.
If you can keep yourself safe for a while but need urgent advice: call NHS 111 or contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment.
If you need someone to talk to: call Samaritans on 116 123 or HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141. Both are free and available 24/7.
Suicide means ending your own life on purpose. Suicidal thoughts and feelings are when you start thinking about that possibility. Some people call this “suicidal ideation.”
Thoughts and feelings like this can come slowly, building up over time, or suddenly, out of nowhere. They might feel really strong one moment and less intense the next.
It’s normal to have complicated reactions to these feelings. You might feel scared, upset, overwhelmed or confused. Whatever your experience, it’s important to know you are not alone. Many people have thoughts like this at some point in their life, and help is out there.
Everyone experiences feeling suicidal differently. For some people, these thoughts and feelings can come and go quickly. For others, they can feel like they’re always there. Here are some ways they can show up:
You might:
You might notice that you’re:
If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s important to get help. There are lots of people and organisations you can contact who are there to support you.
Suicidal thoughts can be triggered by a single event or a mix of experiences. Sometimes, there’s no obvious cause at all. Here are just some examples:
Even if you’re not sure why you feel suicidal, it doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t valid. Whatever your reason, support is available to help you through this.
If you’re thinking about hurting yourself right now, call 999. You matter and there are people who can help.
It may seem like there’s no way out. But there are things you can do to get through this. Try these four steps:
Focus on just getting through the current moment rather than thinking too far ahead. You don’t need to make a decision today or act on your thoughts right now. Just focus on getting through the day.
Remove anything you could use to harm yourself, or ask someone you trust to help keep it safe. If you’re somewhere unsafe, try to get to a place where you feel secure, like a friend’s house, a library, a religious centre, or any public space. If you’re on your own, call someone you trust or contact a helpline.
Try simple relaxation techniques to help you feel more in control:
Try to challenge your negative thoughts and focus on small positives:
Sharing how you feel can make a big difference. This could be a friend, family member, or a helpline. You don’t have to go through this alone and there are lots of people there to help.
Even small steps, like sending a text or saying a few words, can make a difference.
Here's a reminder that you are loved.
Video transcript: Oh hi, here’s a reminder in case you don’t believe this. You matter, you are important, you’re loved and you living on this earth right now makes a difference, whether you see it or not. Every morning, remind yourself of this, okay?
30 second watch
Finding ways to cope in the long-term is about discovering what helps you feel supported, safe and in control. It can take time, and you don’t have to figure it all out at once. Even starting with small steps can help. Here are some things you could try:
Try to recognise things that make you feel better and things that make you feel worse. Perhaps you feel better when listening to music, going to a particular place, or doing a comforting activity. And maybe certain people, situations or places make you feel worse.
It’s okay to feel these emotions instead of pushing them away, as long as you have coping strategies. When you’re feeling low, try doing one of the things you’ve noted down as helping you feel better.
A happy box is a collection of items and memories that can comfort you when you feel low. It might include photos, letters, notes to yourself, favourite books, poems, quotes, a cuddly toy, or something that smells nice. You can also make a digital version with playlists, videos, or apps that help you feel better. Next time you have suicidal feelings, look through your happy box to make yourself feel better.
Being kind to yourself can help improve your self-esteem. Try writing down reminders of things you like about yourself, keeping notes of positive memories, or planning little activities that bring you joy. These small acts of care can help you feel more grounded and remind you that you matter.
Spending time with people and building a support network can help you feel more connected and valued. Try reaching out more to friends and family to get together. Or find a group or class you can join, in person or online. Volunteering can also be a good way to meet people, share activities you enjoy, and build connections.
Peer support groups let you connect with people who understand what you’re going through. You can share how you feel, hear other people’s experiences, or just be there without talking. Groups can be online or in person.
You can search for support groups in your area for lots of different mental health problems on the Rethink Mental Illness website or through Mind’s peer support directory.
Staying healthy and active can help you to feel more positive and able to manage your suicidal thoughts. Try to get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise as best you can. Avoid drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs, as these can make suicidal thoughts worse.
A safety plan helps you think about what to do and what support you need when you’re in crisis.
It’s best to make one before things feel overwhelming. You can do this on your own or with someone you trust, like a friend, support worker, or therapist.
Your plan should include your warning signs, things you can do to help yourself in a crisis, and the names and numbers of people you can contact.
There’s no set format for a crisis plan, but Samaritans have an online template you can use that might help.
If you’re having suicidal thoughts or feelings, it’s a good idea to speak to your GP. It can feel scary or awkward to talk about these thoughts, but GPs are used to supporting people with difficult feelings and can help you access the right kind of support.
The GP might refer you for talking therapy or to a specialist service like a community mental health team. In some cases, they might offer you medication.
In talking therapy sessions, you’ll speak with a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. They’ll help you understand why you feel suicidal and support you with finding ways to cope.
Waiting lists for talking therapy on the NHS can be long. If you can afford private therapy, you may want to look for a therapist yourself. Just make sure they’re fully qualified and registered with a body like BACP. If you’re struggling while you wait for NHS therapy, contact a helpline.
If your GP feels you need more specialist support, they might refer you to a community mental health team (CMHT). Your CMHT will be made up of different professionals – like psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, and social workers – who work together to support you with your mental health. They can offer more intensive help than a GP alone, and may support you with things like therapy, medication, or practical help in your daily life.
While there’s no medication specifically for suicidal thoughts, your GP may prescribe psychiatric medication to help with symptoms or other mental health problems. This could include antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilisers.
Some people find that medication makes them feel worse. If this happens, or if you experience suicidal feelings while taking medication, speak to your GP as soon as possible. You can also talk to a pharmacist or contact NHS 111 for advice.
When someone you care about is having suicidal thoughts, it can feel scary and overwhelming. You might worry about saying the wrong thing or not knowing how to help. But often, just being there and showing you care can make a real difference.
It’s not always obvious if someone is suicidal. Sometimes there are no warning signs at all. But changes in behaviour or the way they talk can give you some clues. They might:
Everyone is different, so it’s important not to blame yourself if you don’t notice the signs. But if you do spot changes that worry you, it’s always okay to reach out and ask if they’re okay.
If someone has hurt themselves or is about to and you think they’re in immediate danger, call 999 straight away. You can do this whether you’re with them in person or not – but you’ll need to be able to give their location.
While waiting for help, stay with them if you can – on the phone, online, or in person. Ask simple, grounding questions like “What are five things you can see around you?” or “Can you take a slow breath with me?”
If it’s safe, move them away from danger. If you’re not with them, see if someone else can be there while you wait for help.
If you notice someone struggling online – whether that’s a friend, someone you game with, or even a stranger in a forum – it can be hard to know what to do. Many of the same tips apply, but there are a few extra steps you can take.
If you can, send them a private message to check in and remind them there’s support available. You could encourage them to reach out to someone they trust in-person, or share services like Samaritans or Papyrus.
If they post something worrying, you can report it to the platform so moderators can step in and offer support.
If someone tells you they’ve already harmed themselves or are in immediate danger, and you know who and where they are, call 999 to get help to them quickly.
Losing someone to suicide can be overwhelming and leave you with intense, complicated emotions. You might feel guilt, shame, or regret, and it’s common to wonder if there was more you could have done. But know that neither you nor the person who died are to blame. Suicide is complex, and it’s rarely caused by one thing.
In these difficult times, connecting with others who understand your experience might help you to feel less alone. Samaritans run free online peer support groups for people bereaved by suicide. These groups offer a safe space to share your feelings, listen to others, and find support from people who truly understand.
We also have support and advice in our guide.
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
Offers confidential advice and support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts, as well as family and friends; and information about how to make a safety plan.
Its helpline service - HOPELINE247 - is available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or anybody concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide.
There is a chat service available on the website.
Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide.
Provides support to anyone aged 16+ who is feeling down and needs to talk or find information.
Free webchat service available.
Read information about the helpline and how it works.
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
To get urgent mental health advice from the NHS, call 111 and select the mental health option. 111 will tell you where you can get help. They may also be able to put you through to a trained mental health professional over the phone.
111 can support anyone who is feeling unsafe, distressed or worried about their mental health. They can also give information and advice about what to do if you're worried about someone else.
If you would rather get help online, you can use 111 online.
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