If you are in immediate danger of suicide or think you might harm yourself. Seek Help immediately 
- You should call 999
- Call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000
- Get someone to take you to your local Emergency Department
People living in Northern Ireland can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. Deaf and hard of hearing Textphone users can call Lifeline on 18001 0808 808 8000. Calls to Lifeline are free to people living in Northern Ireland who are calling from UK landlines and mobiles.
Lifeline counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen and help, in confidence.
If you have suicidal thoughts, don’t try to manage them your own please click here for advice and information.
-
Keeping yourself safe against suicidal thoughts
If you have suicidal thoughts, don’t try to manage it on your own. There are things you can do to keep yourself safe:
- Seek help early/talk to someone
- Postpone any decision to end your life – Many people find if they postpone big decisions for just 24 hours things improve, they feel better able to cope and they find the support they need
- Avoid being alone (especially at night) – Stay with a family member or friend or have someone stay with you until your thoughts of suicide decrease
- Develop a safety plan – Come up with a plan that you can put into action at any time, for example have a friend or family member agree that you will call them when you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed
- Avoid drugs and alcohol when you are feeling down – Alcohol and many drugs are depressants and can make you feel worse, they don’t help solve problems and can make you do things you wouldn’t normally do
- See your local doctor or a specialist to discuss support or treatment – Discuss your suicidal thoughts with your doctor, talk about ways to keep yourself safe. Ask your GP or Lifeline about help for suicidal thoughts
- Set yourself small goals to help you move forward and feel in control
- Set goals even on an hour by hour or day by day basis – write them down and cross them off as you achieve them
-
I'm worried someone I know may be feeling suicidal
What to do:
- Do something. Take warning signs seriously. Reaching out could save a life. Seek urgent help if it is needed by calling 999 or take the person to your nearest emergency department or call Lifeline 0808 808 8000
- Ask if they are thinking of suicide. Talking about suicide will not put the idea into their head but will encourage them to talk about their feelings. Don’t agree to keep it a secret since the person’s safety is your main concern
- Acknowledge your reaction. You might panic or want to ignore the situation. If you are struggling, get the help of a trusted friend
- Be there for them. Spend time with the person, encourage them to talk about how they are feeling, identify who they can call on for support and encourage the person to agree to get further support
- Check out their safety. Ask how much thought the person has put into taking their own life. If you are really worried don’t leave the person alone. Remove any means of suicide available including weapons, medications, alcohol and other drugs, even access to a car
- Decide what to do. Discuss together what action to take. You may need the help of others (partners, parents, close friends or someone else) to persuade the person to get professional help. Only by sharing this information can you make sure the person gets the help and support they need
- Take action. Encourage the person to get help from a local health professional such as a GP, counsellor or telephone helpline service
- Ask for a promise. Ask the person to promise they will tell someone if suicidal thoughts return. This will make it more likely they will seek help
- Look after yourself. It is difficult and emotionally draining to support someone who is suicidal, don’t do it on your own. Find someone to talk to, friends, family or a health professional
- Stay involved. Thoughts of suicide do not disappear easily. The continuing involvement of family and friends is very important to the person’s recovery
-
Support Services for people impacted by suicide
New Life Counselling
New Life Counselling provides a bespoke bereavement support service for those who have lost a loved one to suicide in the South Eastern H&SC Trust. This free service is tailored to the needs of the family and community impacted by the death.
Telephone: (028) 9039 1630
Email: info@newlifecounselling.net
Other support services available include:
Lifeline
Lifeline is a crisis response helpline service operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Telephone: 0808 808 8000
Deaf and hard of hearing – Text phone users: 18001 0808 8000
Website: www.lifelinehelpline.info
Samaritans
Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress or finding it difficult to cope.
Samaritans: 116 123
Cruse Bereavement Service
Cruse Bereavement Care supports someone after the death of a loved one.
Telephone: 0808 808 1677
Website: www.lifelinehelpline.info
Barnardo’s Child Bereavement Service
This service offers individual support for children and young people up to the age of 18 years. As well as offering advice on issues around bereavement.
Telephone: (028) 9066 8333
Website: www.barnados.org.uk/childbereavementservice.htm
AWARE NI
Aware is the only charity in Northern Ireland working exclusively for those with depression. They also support carers and friends of those with depression.
Telephone: 0845 120 2961
Email: info@aware-ni.org
Website: www.aware-ni.org
Directory of Services
There are 5 directories of services known as Z CARDS, one for each Trust area. These directories list the names, numbers and website addresses (where applicable) of organisations that offer services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing. These can be downloaded from www.mindingyourhead.info
A full range of helpline numbers is available at: www.helplinesnetworkni.com
-
Training
A range of free training opportunities are available to anyone living or working within the South Eastern HSC Trust area.
These include:
- Safe TALK
- ASIST
- Mental Health First Aid
- Understanding Self-harm
For further information or to book a place please contact: Eileen.young@setrust.hscni.net