Emergency help

Icon_Emergency Help

I need help now

If you are in need of immediate help you can contact one of the below services:

  • Ring your GP or out of hours service for an emergency appointment
  • Contact your Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) if you have one
  • Ring Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day) or the Jewish Listening Line on 0800 652 9249 (Sunday – Thursday 12:00 – 00:00; Friday 12:00 – 15:00)
  • Contact Shout via their 24/7 free text service if you’re struggling to cope or need immediate help. Text Jami to 85258
  • Call the Papyrus HOPELINEUK, on 0800 068 41 41 or text 07860 039 967 if you are under 35 and worried about how you are feeling. Or call if you are worried about a young person
  • Go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department
  • Call 999 or NHS Direct on 111 (England) or 0845 46 47 (Wales)

Dealing with someone who is suicidal

Suicide is a major public health issue both in England and globally. Each year people from all walks of life die as a result of suicide and suicide remains the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK today.

What the numbers can’t tell us is the impact that suicide has on those left behind as people struggle to come to terms with and make sense of their loss.

However, suicide is preventable. It is a myth that once a person is seriously considering suicide there is nothing we can do. In fact most suicidal crises are time limited and when offered support through the crisis period people are able to think more clearly about how they are going to deal with their problems.

We can prevent suicide. We can learn to spot the warning signs so that we can help support someone experiencing suicidal thoughts. Openly talking about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life. (MHFA England. Adult MHFA manual 2016)

How do I respond if someone is expressing suicidal thoughts?

  • Act promptly. Even if you’re not sure you should still approach someone you think may be suicidal
  • Explain your concerns, describing what led you to be concerned about the person
  • If you’re worried that someone is at immediate risk of taking their own life, it’s best to stay with them and take one of these steps:
    1. Ring their GP or out of hours service for an emergency appointment
    2. Contact their Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) if they have one
    3. Encourage them to ring Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 (24 hours a day)
    4. Go to the nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department
    5. Call 999 or NHS Direct on 111 (England) or 0845 46 47 (Wales)
  • Look after yourself. Supporting someone who is suicidal can be shocking and emotionally draining. Find ways of reducing the immediate stress and find someone to talk to about your experience