Suicidal thoughts can be scary and isolating - but there is always help out there.
It is estimated that up to one in 20 people are thinking about suicide at any one time, according to SAMH.
In Scotland, that means 262,740 people may be thinking about it - that is enough people to fill Glasgow's Hampden Park five times over.
Even though your pain may seem overwhelming and permanent at the moment, there are ways to work through suicidal thoughts and feelings.
On World Suicide Prevention Day and beyond, the best thing we can do is to learn the signs that you or someone you love is struggling.
Every year, on September 10, organisations around the world get together to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
Here are the warning signs of suicide and how best to get help, according to Samaritans:
Signs that someone may be struggling
Many people struggle to cope at one point or another of their lives.
Everyone copes and reacts in their own way, but here are some general signs to look out for.
Several signs may apply to some people, while only a couple for others.
Signs to look out for
- Feeling restless and agitated
- Feeling angry and aggressive
- Feeling tearful
- Being tired or lacking in energy
- Not wanting to talk to or be with people
- Not wanting to do things they usually enjoy
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
- Finding it hard to cope with everyday things
- Not replying to messages or being distant
- Talking about feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless
- Talking about feeling trapped by life circumstances they can’t see a way out of, or feeling unable to escape their thoughts
- A change in routine, such as sleeping or eating more or less than normal
- Engaging in risk-taking behaviour, like gambling or violence
It may be hard to spot these signs, especially as people start to physically self-isolate because of coronavirus.
Certain circumstances can also trigger suicidal thoughts or make it hard for someone to cope.
These include loss of a loved one, financial worries, bullying, substance abuse or relationship problems.
Are you struggling to cope or having suicidal thoughts?
Maybe you can't quite put your finger on it, but you’re not feeling okay.
You might be feeling tired more often, be feeling emotional, and you might not want to do the things that you usually enjoy right now.
Struggling to cope with everyday life doesn’t look or feel the same in everyone. We can’t generalise about how it'll make you feel or act.
You might be experiencing some of the following suicidal thoughts and feelings:
- Feel sure that you want to die
- Desperately want a solution to your nightmare and can’t see any other way out
- Don't care if you live or die and are taking more risks or living recklessly
- Don't actively want to kill yourself but would welcome death if it happened. You might view death as a release or way of taking control
- Don't know why you are having suicidal thoughts or suicidal feelings, and are completely powerless to know what to do about it.
Talk to someone you trust, or call Samaritans on 116 123.
If you or someone you know has hurt themselves and you think their injuries are life-threatening, call an ambulance on 999.
Supporting someone with suicidal thoughts
Simple actions can help you be there for someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts or recovering from an attempt to take their own life.
It’s also important to know when to seek professional support, and when to step back to look after yourself.
Evidence shows asking someone if they're suicidal can protect them, according to Samaritans.
By asking someone directly about suicide, you give them permission to tell you how they feel, and let them know that they are not a burden.
People who have felt suicidal will often say what a huge relief it was to be able to talk about what they were experiencing.
If someone does let you know that they are having suicidal thoughts, always take them seriously.
You don't have to be able to solve their problems. But, if you feel you can, offer support and encourage them to talk about how they're feeling.
How to help someone during the coronavirus outbreak
We know how important human connection is. And we're aware of how hard life might be for a lot of people facing new challenges at this time.
Now more than ever we need to keep our connections strong.
It might feel more difficult to mention to someone that you’re worried about them if you haven’t seen them in person for a while.
During this period of uncertainty, we want to help you feel confident supporting others who may be struggling.
You are not alone. If you think somebody might need help, trust your instincts and strike up a conversation.
Reaching out to someone can make a big difference if they’re going through a tough time.
It can be a video call, a phone call, a text, a DM or a socially distanced walk in your local park.
You could use this time to write a letter or an email, too. Starting a conversation and showing you care can be the first step to helping someone feel less isolated.
There’s no right or wrong way to get started. Trust your instincts and remember that you chat with people in lots of different ways every day.
It's also OK if you don’t get a response straight away. If they don't answer, they may still have read your message or seen your call.
That notification buzz can be enough to let them know you care and may encourage them to reach out for support.
