Suicidal Feelings

Having suicidal thoughts?

If you feel like you want to die, or if someone you know tells you they want to die, it is crucial to talk about these feelings as soon as possible.  Many people experience suicidal thoughts at some time in their lives. Help and support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a week. No one needs to experience these difficult feelings on their own.

If your life is in immediate danger and you cannot get to a safe place or talk to some you trust including someone who is specially trained (see support service details below) call an ambulance on 999 or attend your local A&E department immediately.
See more helpful information here.

If you know of someone who’s life is in immediate danger and cannot get them to a safe place or to talk to someone they trust including someone who is specially trained (see support services below) call an ambulance on 999 or get them to their local A&E department.
See more helpful information here.

• It is essential that they talk to someone about how they are feeling and get them somewhere they feel safe
• Free support is available right now to keep them safe

What to do if you are having suicidal thoughts

• If you feel you want to die, free confidential help and support is available right now to keep you safe. See our Helplines, support and urgent help section below.
• You can pick up the phone, send a text or email. Trained staff are waiting to speak to you, no matter how difficult.
• You can also speak to someone you know and trust. Please don’t struggle with your feelings on your own.
• If you have a safety plan then follow your own advice. If not, then do something you enjoy, be around people and remove anything which you could use to harm yourself. Avoid drugs/alcohol and distract yourself.
• There are useful resources which might be helpful – see self-help resources below.
• If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger from suicide please click here.

How to talk to someone you are worried about

• If someone has told you they are having suicidal thoughts, or if you suspect someone is suicidal, it is important that they speak to someone about their feelings.
• Don’t worry that by asking them how they feel, or by asking them if they are feeling suicidal, that this will make things worse.
• Just listening to what they say and taking them seriously can really help.
• Be compassionate, don’t be judgemental and don’t talk about your own experiences.
• Don’t feel you have to fill the silences, just listen. Ask, listen and show you care.
• Advise them that free confidential help and support is available right now to keep them safe. See our Helplines, support and urgent help section below.
• Let them know that they can pick up the phone, send a text or email. Trained staff are waiting to speak to them, no matter how difficult the topic might be.
• Let them know it is important to speak to someone they know and trust. Tell them they don’t need to struggle with their feelings on their own.
• Advise them to have a look at the self-help resources below. They include apps and the Staying Safe website which advises people on how to develop their own safety plans.

Self-help advice

• Find out more as to how you can help yourself, and/or others, if you are experiencing suicidal feelings. See our self-help resources below.
• Our resources include some excellent websites. If you struggle with suicidal feelings or you know someone who does, then it is really helpful to write a safety plan. The Staying Safe website provides information on how to make a safety plan.
• Our resources also include apps which are really useful in helping to manage difficult feelings or suicidal thoughts.
• Learn new skills to help you know the warning signs for suicide and how to get help that can save lives. See our self-help courses below.
• You don’t need to experiences these feelings alone. Talk to someone you trust or see our ‘helplines’ section below.
• If you or someone you know need urgent help – go to our ‘urgent help’ page immediately.
• If you have been affected by a death by suicide and want to talk to someone or would like support please see our self-help resources below for information on local services. The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have a funded a dedicated service to support people affected by a death by suicide and who live in our local area – see details of the 2Wish service in the Helplines and Support below.
• Help is at Hand Cymru is a resource for people bereaved through suicide or other unexplained death, and those helping them. See our self-help resources below.

If you are a professional and want to find out about suicide prevention training, visit professionals courses.