This World Suicide Prevention Day, Samaritans is urging the nation to ditch the stigma of talking about suicide by helping people ‘Find a Way to Say It’.
With suicide rates in England and Wales now at their highest in over 20 years and one-in-five of people experiencing suicidal thoughts in their lifetime*, the charity is encouraging people not to bottle up their feelings. According to an earlier poll commissioned by Samaritans, only 45% of people feel comfortable talking to friends and family about their struggles and 46% of the population would not start a conversation on the subject with someone they were concerned about, even if they knew that person was experiencing suicidal thoughts**.
This World Suicide Prevention Day, things need to change and the charity wants to encourage everyone to play their part. Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans, said:
While discussing mental health has become more commonplace, there is still a taboo when it comes to suicide that is costing people their lives. We want to change this. By talking more openly about suicide, we can give people the chance to express how they feel and get the support they need. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business and the need to unite efforts across all fronts has never felt so urgent.
“Suicide rates are at their highest in more than 20 years and we are still waiting to hear from the government about what they are going to do to reverse this. We will not stand for more silence on the issue. This World Suicide Prevention Day, the Prime Minister needs to speak up and demonstrate his commitment to suicide prevention with a clear plan of action before more lives are lost.”
Samaritans’ shares real life stories to show people who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts that they aren’t alone, and to help them “Find a Way to Say It”.
Misha, 32, from Derbyshire, said: “I was around 21, it was my second year of uni and I was on a project that I was doing badly with, and not feeling great with my mental health overall. I remember I felt like I might do something to harm myself. I thought maybe I wanted to try something else to help me feel better. I decided to call Samaritans. I think I spent an hour and a half just sitting on the phone to a volunteer. On the phone I was able to explore how I was feeling with the volunteer and think about what other answers there might be to how I was feeling. Just the opportunity to have a chat with someone who didn’t immediately panic when I spoke about suicide, was really helpful. I often say I’m still here because of that phone call.
“To anyone who is struggling with their own mental health, I’d say even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, you’re not the only one who feels this way. And it is possible for these feelings to end. Find your way to talk to someone about it. It feels like a cliché but it’s true. There is always someone out there who can help.”
To help everyone make a change that could save lives, Samaritans is taking the initials of World Suicide Prevention Day and issuing these new tips to support conversations around suicide thoughts.
What Should People Do:
Watch
Watch out for changes in behaviour that could mean someone’s having suicidal thoughts
Speak
Speak up to let someone know that there is support available
Play
Play your part by reaching out to anyone you’re concerned about
Ditch
Ditch the stigma – suicidal thoughts are far more common than most people know – so let’s talk about it!
Ends
Notes to Editors
For more information, please contact [email protected] or call 07943 809 162 to speak to a member of Samaritans Press Office.
1 McManus S, Bebbington P, Jenkins R, Brugha T. (eds.) (2016). Mental health and wellbeing in England: Adult psychiatric morbidity survey 2014
2 The Opinium survey was conducted between 9-13th February 2024, with a nationally representative sample of 2,001 UK adults.
About Samaritans
- Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help.
- In 2023, Samaritans volunteers spent more than 900,000 hours responding to calls for help.
- Samaritans has more than 200 branches and locations across the UK and Ireland.
- Around 23,000 people volunteered their time for Samaritans last year.
- Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can visit www.samaritans.org
- Samaritans is a charity and it’s the public’s kind donations and 23,000 volunteers that mean we are always there for anyone struggling to cope. Find out how you can support us or volunteer with us.
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