Introduction
Suicide is the act of intentionally ending your life.
If you are reading this because you are feeling suicidal, it is important that you seek help immediately.
Many people who have felt suicidal at some point say they were so overwhelmed by negative feelings that they saw no option other than suicide. However, with the right treatment and support, the same people were able to carry on with their life and the negative feelings passed.
Getting help if you feel suicidal
If you are feeling suicidal, you can:
- call the Samaritans support service on 08457 90 90 90
- go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department and tell the staff how you are feeling
- contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647
- speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust
- make an urgent appointment to see your GP
For more information and advice, see Suicide - getting help.
Worried someone else is suicidal
If you are worried that someone you know may be considering suicide, recommend that they contact one or more of the organisations above and encourage them, in a non-judgemental way, to talk about how they are feeling.
If the person has previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as depression, you can speak to a member of their care team for help and advice.
Read more about the suicide warning signs and what to do if you think someone is thinking about suicide.
Why do some people take their own life?
There is no single reason why someone may try to take their own life, but certain factors or problems may make suicide more likely. See the causes of suicide for more information.
A person may be more likely to become suicidal if they have a mental health condition, such as:
- depression
- anorexia nervosa
- bipolar disorder
- anxiety disorder
- schizophrenia
- borderline personality disorder
Other factors that can increase the chances of a person attempting to end their life include:
- misusing drugs
- misusing alcohol
- being unemployed
- being male and under 35 years of age
How common is suicide?
Suicide is a leading cause of death, particularly in young people, both in England and worldwide. During 2008, there were 4,282 suicides in England. Suicide rates are three times higher in men than in women.
See Suicide - facts for more information about who is at risk.
Self-harm
Many people who attempt suicide have a history of self-harming. This is where a person injures their body on purpose.
Many people who self-harm do not want to kill themselves. Self-harming can be a kind of "survival strategy", providing a person with a way of coping with overwhelming emotions.
However, self-harming is usually a sign that a person needs immediate help and support.
See the Health A-Z topic about Self-harm for more information and advice.
