What is self-harm?

Self-harm is when a person hurts themselves as a way of dealing with very difficult feelings, painful memories, or overwhelming situations and experiences. 

What are suicidal thoughts?

Suicide is the act of intentionally taking your own life.

Suicidal feelings can mean having abstract thoughts about ending your life or feeling that people would be better off without you. Or it can mean thinking about methods of suicide or making plans to take your own life. 

If you are feeling suicidal, you might be scare or confused by these feelings. You may find these feelings overwhelming. 

For urgent mental health support, 24/7 call:

0121 262 3555

The NHS urgent mental health helpline (above) are for people of all ages. You can call for:

• 24-hour advice and support - for you, your child, your parent/carer, or for someone you care for. 
• Help to speak to a mental health professional.
• An assessment to help you decide on the best course of care.

Are you or someone you know at risk?

Phone helplines

There are many free helplines you can call to help when you're feeling down or desperate. Unless they say otherwise, they're open 24 hours a day, every day. 

Text messages

If you do not want to talk to someone over the phone, these text lines are open 24 hours a day, every day.
 

Further advice and guidance:

• Mind has lots of useful information, advice and guidance:
  • https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-harm/about-self-harm/
  • https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/suicidal-feelings/about-suicidal-feelings/
• Samaritans provide lots of useful information, advice, and guidance: https://www.samaritans.org/
• NHS:
  • https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/self-harm/
  • https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/