Live Life Team
Preventing Suicide
Suicidal thoughts are caused due to depression in some form. If such feeling arises, you need to see the GP immediately. Range of treatments shall be offered to you like behaviour therapy, counselling and antidepressants.
Self-help advice
They are various things that can be done which help you overcome suicidal thoughts and depression. It aims to provide you ways and means to cope with sadness, unhappiness and loneliness:
Always connect with the world you are in and avoid feeling isolated. Always talk to people whom you trust and discuss your feelings, keep in touch with friends even if you don’t feel like doing it.
Always think positively and remove the things that give you negative thoughts. Treat yourself with good food, have a hot and refreshing bath and also some breathing exercises
Try concentrating doing good things rather than bad. It shall help you imagine yourself in a happy situation like watching your favourite band, meeting with your favourite star, eating a favourite meal, or tanning yourself on a beach.
Exercising stimulates body and mind and helps to fight depression. Sunshine and daylight can put you in brighter moods. Try spending time outdoors. Do not go to sleep until you really sleepy
Alcohol and drugs should be avoided. You might feel good initially but in the later stages you can feel worst as it acts like a depressant. It can cause problems in decision making.
Be a member of a self-help group. It can make you feel relieved to meet people in similar circumstances and shall also teach you how they have coped with the situation. You can also feel better by helping others
Getting Help
If suicidal thoughts have come up in your mind now or in recent past, someone should be contacted for help. There are help lines with trained volunteers, who shall understand you, listen to what you talk and also guide you through crises.
Help lines
Samaritans services are available for 24 hours and 365 days a year. Call 08457 90 90 90, email options are available in case you fear anyone might overhear you on phone. HYPERLINK “mailto:jo@samaritans.org” jo@samaritans.org is the id you can use for email conversations. Call 08001111 for free child line for youngsters and children in UK. The number shall not be mentioned in the telephone bill as it is a free call.
Talking to someone you trust
In case helpline facilities are not enough, you can contact:
A family member, someone who is trustworthy such as a teacher or a friend,
Your doctor, a healthcare or mental health professional or
A religious leader, minister or a community member.
Seeing your GP
Irrespective of whom you talk to you also should visit the doctor, as you will get to know various treatment options in case of depression.
Helping someone else
If you feel that any friend or relative is depressed and having suicidal tendencies. You should notice signs of any changes in behaviour and personality.
Some signs to look forwards include:
Loss of interest in activities they would enjoy previously,
Unhappiness,
Low energy levels,
Spending time alone, or
No interest in spending time with others.
You need to be a good listener if a person with suicidal tendencies tries to talk to you. You should not have a judgmental approach to his or her talks. You need to make the person understand and help them to try and cope with the situation. At times just listening and showing some care is enough.
In case the person is not interested in talking, then probably a friend or partner may help or writing down what they feel will be preferred. You need to also convince the person to visit a doctor.
