Things to look out for in yourself when you're finding everyday life hard.
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.
Samaritans are here to listen. You can call us on 116 123, email us at [email protected] or write us a letter.
You don’t have to feel suicidal to get in touch. Only 1 person in 5 who calls Samaritans says that they feel suicidal.
Read our tips
Practical ways to help yourself cope
Signs to look out for
- Lacking energy or feeling tired
- Feeling exhausted all the time
- Experiencing 'brain fog', find it hard to think clearly
- Finding it hard to concentrate
- Feeling restless and agitated
- Feeling tearful, wanting to cry all the time
- Not wanting to talk to or be with people
- Not wanting to do things you usually enjoy
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
- Finding it hard to cope with everyday things and tasks
- Experiencing 'burn out'
If you don’t see what you’re feeling on this list, please still get in touch. You might also find our suggestions and tips for ways to help yourself cope useful.
And if you do think these symptoms sound like you, or someone you know, please still get in touch on 116 123, at [email protected], or in another way that suits you.
If you're worried about someone else, we can help too.
Call us
Whatever you're going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.
Benefits
- Free
- One-to-one
- Open 24 hours a day
Maybe not if...
- You have patchy phone signal
- You prefer to write things down
- You're looking for advice
Call us any time, day or night 116 123
Visit a branch
Speak to a Samaritan face-to-face
Benefits
- Meet face-to-face
- Safe branch environment
- Branches all around the UK and ROI
Maybe not if...
- You need urgent support right now
- You need support outside opening hours
- You prefer to stay anonymous
Write a letter
Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you better understand them.
Benefits
- Free
- Time to compose your thoughts
- Time to reflect between letters
Maybe not if...
- You need urgent support right now
- You have no fixed address
- It's hard for you to post a letter
Write to us
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
Email us
Sometimes writing things down and taking some time to reflect can help you understand them better.
Benefits
- Time to compose your thoughts
- No need to respond right away
- Work things through over time
Maybe not if...
- You need urgent support right now
- You want to talk things through in one go
- You want to speak to the same person throughout
[email protected]
Response time: It may take several days to get a response by email