This year on World Suicide Prevention Day, local and national organisations are aiming to raise awareness of suicide prevention through 'Creating Hope Through Action.'  Greater Manchester will be running a 'Month of Hope,' from 10th September through to 10th October- World Mental Health Day; to raise awareness.  You can find out more about the initiative, via the following link - News | Shining a Light on Suicide

Many people experience suicidal thoughts, however the reasons as to why someone may be struggling are unique to each individual.  For many people the thoughts and feelings are temporary, for others this has been a longer term struggle.  However by being aware of what support is out there and how to access this, can give a lot of people a sense of hope that things can change.

It can be very difficult to know how to reach out and ask for help or even know how to start the conversation.  If you feel like this, help is available and you can get through this.  Telling someone how you’re feeling is the first step to getting help, staying safe and getting through this.

Talking about your feelings may feel scary or embarrassing but please don’t suffer in silence. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. Tell a friend, family member, work colleague, GP or anyone else you can trust.  Sometimes speaking to someone independent can be beneficial for many people. You can call the Samaritans who are there to support you 24/7 on 116 123  or if you prefer to message, you can text SHOUT to 85258.  Please also see the list of support services in the section below for further information on where you can access support.

It is also helpful to have a plan in place to keep ourselves safe during difficult times. 

Developing a safety plan can help remind us of the positive things we can do or have done previously that have helped us get through times of crisis.  This may include who we can turn to at a time of need, practical ways to keep ourselves safe and ways we can manage difficult thoughts through distraction or relaxing activities.  A safety plan will also help inform us what action to take should we feel at immediate risk of hurting ourselves or others. You can make the plan alone or alongside someone you trust.  If you are concerned someone you know is at risk of suicide, you can work through the safety plan with them or help them make one.  Please see the following links for further information and guidance on how to develop a safety plan.  

• Safety plan | Shining a Light on Suicide 
• https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/supporting-someone-suicidal-thoughts/creating-safety-plan/ 

 

If you feel that your mood/mental state is deteriorating and you are not able to maintain your own safety and/or the safety of others, please attend your nearest A + E for an urgent assessment of your mental health support needs or dial 999. Find your nearest A and E

 

Below are some helpful resources developed by Papyrus to help manage thoughts of suicide and/or self harm.  Papyrus are the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.  

Their website contains further information, guidance and resources to support people experiencing thoughts of suicide and/or self harm.  You can find out more by visiting https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

Papyrus also offer help, support and advice for young people under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts or who feel in crisis. Call: 0800 068 4141    Text: 07786209697 or   Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Opening hours:  10am – 10pm weekdays 2pm – 10pm weekends 2pm – 10pm bank holidays

If you are worried about a friend, family member or colleague, it can be difficult to know how to approach them or start the conversation.  Sometimes it can be a fear of not knowing what to say or how to say it.  It may even be a fear that asking questions about suicide may make this worse for the person , however research has shown that by allowing someone to talk about their thoughts and feelings around suicide, it can actually decrease the likelihood of them acting on their thoughts.  It is also an opportunity for that person to be signposted to accessing the right help and support.

The resources below have been developed to support people with these difficult conversations whilst encouraging the person you are concerned about to access the right support.

• The TIME TO CHANGE guide to asking twice
• 5 ways to ask twice when your mate says 'I am fine'

The University of Exeter wrote a leaflet with The Alliance of Suicide Prevention Charities to help people know that it’s safe to talk about suicide, with suggestions on how to do it:

• It's safe to talk about suicide

The Samaritans have also created information and resources for 'Supporting Someone with Suicidal Thoughts.'

• https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/supporting-someone-suicidal-thoughts/

The Samaritans- Trained and professional listening volunteers who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the year.  Providing a safe, non-judgmental and confidential space for you to talk; helping you to reduce feelings of distress and despair. 
Helpline: 116 123   Website: www.samaritans.org
 

Papyrus- Prevention of Young Suicide: Help, support and advice for young people under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts or who feel in crisis.
Call: 0800 068 4141   Text: 07786209697 or   Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Opening hours:  10am – 10pm weekdays 2pm – 10pm weekends 2pm – 10pm bank holidays

Life Signs- Self injury Support Network:  Support, advice and true stories of people who have struggled to overcome self-injury.  The network aims to provide information and guide in new ways of coping when you are ready to do so.
Website:  www.lifesigns.org.uk

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide. Every week 125 people in the UK take their own lives. And 75% of all UK suicides are male. CALM exists to change this.  Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) support for men or use webchat service.
 

Mind:  Mental health charity offering advice, support and online resources to anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Website: www.mind.org.uk

Supporting people bereaved by suicide

People who have been bereaved by suicide can be at greater risk of taking their own lives, and yet often friends and family do not know what to say or how to help.

• UCL and the Support After Suicide Partnership developed a short guide to help people feel more comfortable about reaching out to someone bereaved by suicide:
  • o Finding the Words
• There are support groups around the country, specifically for people bereaved by suicide - you can find them here:
  • o Support After Suicide Partnership's website (enter your postcode at the top of the page)
• Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) have a helpline open 9am-9pm Monday to Friday:
  • o 0300 111 5065
  • or visit their website

Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust 24/7 helpline
https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/crisis-care/  or contact 0800 953 0285
 

-Staying Safe Visit Staying Safe website which explores ways to help keep yourself safe, safety plans and more. 

-Hub of Hope https://hubofhope.co.uk/ a search engine that allows you to find support services near you

-Therapy Route https://www.therapyroute.com/article/helplines-suicide-hotlines-and-crisis-lines-from-around-the-world Helplines, suicide hotlines and crisis lines for countries all around the world, particularly useful for those students who are at home countries at present.
 

Suggested Apps: Apple and Android

Stay Alive-  https://www.stayalive.app/
Calm Harm-  https://calmharm.co.uk/
DistrACT-  https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/distract/

 

If you feel that your mood/mental state is deteriorating and you are not able to maintain your own safety and/or the safety of others, please attend your nearest A + E for an urgent assessment of your mental health support needs or dial 999. Find your nearest A and E