Mental Health and Wellbeing Information

Suicide

Do you need urgent help right now?

If you have taken an overdose or have a life threatening self harm injury contact Emergency Services, telephone 999.

If you are experiencing mental health problems and the feeling is overwhelming. You feel distressed and have thoughts of harming yourself or you feel you are at risk of harming others and need to talk to someone urgently:

• Telephone or visit your GP Surgery or telephone Samaritans  (external link)08457 90 90 90 (24 hours a day, 7 days per week)
• You can also telephone Breathing Space  (external link)0800 83 85 87 or Mind (external link) Infoline telephone 0300 123 3393 or text 8646

If you need urgent medical help:

• Contact NHS 24 (external link) telephone 111

Suicide prevention is everyone's business

Suicide is the act of intentionally ending life. Most people who choose to end their lives do so for complex reasons.

In the UK, research has shown many people who die by suicide have a mental health illness, most commonly depression or an alcohol problem.

• On average, every day more than two people complete suicide in scotland
• In 2014 the number of people that committed suicide in the UK was 6,122
• Suicide is a leading cause of death for people under the age of 35, but it is not confined to this age group
• Scotland's suicide rate is higher than any other part of the UK

Why do I feel suicidal?

• Life history: having a traumatic experience during childhood, a history of sexual or physical abuse, or parental neglect.
• Mental health: a diagnosis of mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, personality and eating disorders.
• Physical Health: long term physical pain or illness
• Lifestyle: misuse of drugs or alcohol
• Employment: poor job security, low levels of job satisfaction or being unemployed
• Relationships: feeling socially isolated, being a victim of bullying or having few close relationships

Suicide. Don't hide it, talk about it

If you are reading this because you are having suicidal thoughts, try to ask someone for help. Talking to someone about how you are feeling can help you see beyond feelings of loneliness or despair and help you realise there are options.

There are helplines you can call at any time. Speaking to someone who understands how you are feeling can help you through an immediate crisis.

• Samaritans (external link) (Phone 116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year or you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
• Breathing Space  (external link)(Phone 0800 83 85 87) operates a confidential helpline, lines open 24hrs at weekends (Fri-Mon:6pm-6am) and 6pm to 2am at other times (Mon-Thur).
• Mikeysline  (external link)(Text 07779 303 303) crisis text line to help young people. Lines open 7pm Friday to 7am Monday.
• Calm (external link) (Phone 0800 585858) offers support for young men aged 15-35.
• PAPYRUS (external link) (Phone 0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
• Depression Alliance (external link) is a charity for people with depression. It doesn't have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and information.

If you don't want to speak to someone on a helpline, you could talk to:

• A member of your family, a friend or someone you trust
• Your GP or a mental healthcare professional

Worried about someone?

If the person has taken an overdose or has a life threatening self harm injury, contact Emergency Services telephone 999.

If you are worried that someone is suicidal, ask them. It could save their life. 

Signs that someone might be feeling suicidal:

• Feelings: desperate, angry, sad, ashamed, worthless, lonely, disconnected, hopeless.
• Situations: relationship problems, work problems, family problems, in trouble with the law, abuse, addictions, physical health problems, mental health problems.
• Thoughts: escape, no future, guilty, alone, damaged, helpless, preoccupied, talk of suicide or death, planning for suicide.
• Behaviours: crying, emotional outbursts, alcohol or drug misuse, recklessness, fighting, breaking the law, withdrawal, putting affairs in order, recent suicide attempt.
• Physical changes: lack of interest or pleasure, lack of physical energy, disturbed sleep, loss of sexual interest, loss of appetite, increase in minor illnesses.
• Appearing more cheerful after distress: sometimes a person appears more cheerful after they have made the decision to end their life. This is because the person is anticipating the end of pain and feels relieved that the decision is made.  

What can I do?

• Take all signs of distress seriously, even if the person seems to be living a normal life
• Ask the person about what’s troubling them
• Listen carefully to what they have to say
• Let them know you care
• If it feels right, ask: are you thinking about suicide?

You can call these helplines to talk things through.

• Breathing Space (external link) Phone 0800 83 85 87 (24 hours at weekends, Fri–Mon 6pm–6am and Mon–Thurs 6pm–2am)
• Samaritans (external link) Phone 116 123 (UK) (24 hours, 7 days a week)

The Art of Conversation is a guide to talking, listening and reducing stigma to prevent suicide in Scotland.