If you or someone you know needs help, please contact one of the services below.
Supporting those in crisis
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK.
Mind
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Papyrus
PAPYRUS is the UK charity for people under 35 who are feeling suicidal, or anyone concerned that a person under 35 may be having thoughts of suicide.
Samaritans
Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement through Suicide)
An organisation that works to meet the needs and overcome the isolation experienced by people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide.
State of Mind Sport
A charity that harnesses the power of sport to promote positive mental health among our sportsmen and women, fans and wider communities, and ultimately to prevent suicide.
Support After Suicide Partnership
A network of organisations that support people who have been bereaved or affected by suicide.
Resources
Taught courses
Some areas of the UK offer free taught suicide prevention sessions. If you’d be interested in attending a taught session, then contact your local council to ask whether taught sessions are available in your area.
Connecting with people – staying safe
Free downloadable guides for those in distress or struggling to cope.
Department of Health & Social Care: No Health without Mental Health
Sets out 6 objectives to improve mental health, wellbeing and outcomes for people with mental health problems.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no-health-without-mental-health-a-cross-government-outcomes-strategy
Grassroots Suicide Prevention – training courses
Grassroots provides training to help promote mental health awareness, suicide alertness, and positive wellbeing. This page contains links to a range of training courses which provide practical support.
https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/suicide_prevention_mental_health_training_courses.html#suicide_prevention_training
Mind – Supporting someone who feels suicidal
Explains how to support someone who feels suicidal, giving practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/supporting-someone-who-feels-suicidal/#.W4mamZNKiL4
Mind – Suicidal Feelings
Explains what suicidal feelings are, including possible causes and how you can learn to cope.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/suicidal-feelings/#.W4ma8pNKiL4
NHS Choices: Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing
Explores the five ways to mental wellbeing that provide a toolkit for building mental resilience.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/
NHS Health Scotland: The Art of Conversation
A guide to talking, listening and reducing stigma surrounding suicide.
NHS Help for Suicidal Thoughts
Collection of resources for people experiencing suicidal feelings.
Office of National Statistics: Suicides in the UK: 2016 registrations
The ONS produces an annual report of registered deaths in the UK from suicide analysed by sex, age, area of usual residence of the deceased and suicide method.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/suicidesintheunitedkingdom/2016registrations
Office of National Statistics: Who is most at risk of suicide?
Article that explores and analyses some of the contributory risks of suicide.
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/whoismostatriskofsuicide/2017-09-07
Public Health England: Suicide Prevention Planning Guidance
Resources and case studies to support the aims of the cross government national suicide prevention strategy and the ambitions set out in the Five Year Forward View for Mental Health.
https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2017/10/25/suicide-prevention-planning-guidance-one-year-on/
Rethink Mental Illness
Guide to supporting someone who has suicidal thoughts.
https://www.rethink.org/carers-family-friends/what-you-need-to-know/suicidal-thoughts-how-to-support-someone
Royal College of Psychiatrists
‘Feeling overwhelmed – helping you stay safe’ – a leaflet providing help and support to those feeling helpless or overwhelmed.
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/problemsanddisorders/feelingoverwhelmed.aspx
Samaritans: Suicide Facts and Figures
Samaritans collate suicide statistics for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and ROI, which are published in an annual Suicide Statistics Report.
https://www.samaritans.org/about-us/our-research/facts-and-figures-about-suicide
Support after Suicide Partnership – support guides
Library of support guides for each country of the UK for those bereaved by suicide.
Zero Suicide Alliance
20 minute free, online suicide prevention training with downloadable booklets.