Explore suicidal feelings by scrolling through the page or simply select an option from the drop down if you wish to jump to the relevant section of the page:
In an emergency call 999
If you are concerned about yourself, a friend or family member or your own behaviour, it is an emergency.
If you feel like you want to die, or if someone you know tells you they want to die, it is really important to talk about these feelings as soon as possible. Many people experience suicidal thoughts at some time in their lives. You don’t need to experience these difficult feelings on your own. There is always someone at the end of a phone, text or email who is trained and ready to listen to you – at any time of day or night.
If these thoughts become more extreme and frequent, it is VERY important to seek help and advice as soon as possible.
Please contact one of the free specialist confidential services (listed below). They are available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. They offer a safe space for you to talk to. They listen. They won’t judge you.
If you have already taken steps to end your life, or are concerned about someone in immediate danger, call 999 or get yourself/them to A&E immediately.
What to do if you are having suicidal thoughts
If you feel you want to die, it is important to speak to someone about these feelings. There are free confidential helplines and services available right now, with trained staff ready to listen. Please pick up the phone, send a text or email.
Samaritans offer a free 24/7 listening service – by phone or email – for anyone of any age.
HOPELINE247 offers a 24/7 listening service – by phone, text or email – for people aged under 35 or for those concerned about a young person thinking about suicide.
SHOUT 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service available 24/7 for anyone of any age. You can text them from wherever you are in the UK.
Or speak to someone you know and trust. Please don’t struggle with difficult feelings on your own.
If you have a safety plan then follow your own advice.
If you don’t have a safety plan and struggle with suicidal feelings, you may find it helpful to write one. A safety plan helps you identify what keeps you safe. The Staying Safe website provides information on how to do this.
For more information on how to keep yourself safe if you are experiencing suicidal feelings, see our list of reputable websites and free apps below.
Remember, you don’t need to experiences these feelings alone. Talk to someone you trust or contact one of the helplines and services below.
If you or someone you know need urgent help – go to our Urgent Help page immediately.
How to talk to someone who is or may be experiencing suicidal thoughts
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 this 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. In short: ‘ask, listen and show you care’.
Let them know it is important to speak to someone they know and trust, if they feel able.
Tell them they don’t need to struggle with their feelings on their own. Provide them with details of free confidential specialist helplines and services available 24/7.
Let them know they can pick up the phone, send a text or email at any time of the day or night. Trained staff will be waiting to speak to them, without judgement, no matter how difficult the conversation might be.
Let them know that there are free apps and reputable websites with information and advice for people who experience suicidal feelings. Tell them that these resources are available on our Melo website.
If you want more advice on how to start this conversation then visit the Samaritans and PAPYRUS websites, which both contain excellent advice.
If you want to learn how to spot the warning signs for suicide and how you can help to save lives, see our list of free courses below.
If you have been affected by the death of someone by suicide
There is free support available for people living in the ABUHB area for anyone affected by a death of someone by suicide, no matter when that death occurred.
Help is at Hand Cymru is a free resource for people bereaved through suicide or other unexplained death, and those helping them.
Free course for Frontline Staff
If you are a professional and want to find out training opportunities visit professional courses.
Last updated: 31.07.2023
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Helplines & Services for people experiencing suicidal feelings
See below for helplines and services offering support to people having suicidal thoughts. All are free and most are available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. They have people trained to listen and talk to people who are feeling suicidal or who are worried about their mental health.
Samaritans – For Everyone
If you are struggling to cope and need someone to talk to, Samaritans will listen. You can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123 (free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.org.
You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line (free from any phone) on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).
If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be, you can contact HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice.
HOPELINE247 advisers want to work with you to understand why thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else’s ability to stay safe.
For children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. For anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.
If you need support in a language that is not English, this can be accessed by requesting Language Line when calling HOPELINE247.
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