Samaritans

What you've been through could help shape better suicide prevention. We're looking for people with experience of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, self-harm or bereavement by suicide to help shape what we do at Samaritans. We believe no one understands it better than the people who've been there. Find out more and apply for our lived experience advisory group here 👇 https://bit.ly/3Hzd3DW

It's hard to put into words how hearing this voice note made us feel 💚 It’s from Mike, to his fiancé, Layla, who called us 9 years ago when she was struggling with suicidal thoughts. She stayed, and what a beautiful life she’s made for herself since then. We hope this can be a reminder that even when it feels like things can't get better, there can be hope. That life is so much bigger than your worst moments. That you are more loved and needed than you can ever know. Thank you to Mike, for letting us share his beautiful and raw message. We’re proud to have played even a little part in this story, We’re here for every hour, of every day for every life we can help to save.

It’s Samaritans Awareness Day and we wanted to remind everyone that our lights are always on. 💡💚 You can tell us the thoughts that feel too hard to tell anyone else. We’re here to listen every hour, of every day. No pressure, no judgement. 📱 116 123

Tomorrow is Samaritans Awareness Day. Tap reshare on this post and help us get the message out that we’re here when it matters most. Every hour. Of every day. For everyone who needs us. We rely on fundraisers and donors to keep us open 24/7. Without you, it wouldn't be possible.

Listening skills are vital to success in most jobs. They’re also vital to suicidal prevention. For someone experiencing suicidal thoughts, having a safe space to open up and being listened to can make a world of difference. Really listening and asking the right questions can help someone work through what they’re facing. By learning to listen more effectively, we can gain a better understanding of someone's situation and offer the right kind of support. Anyone can start a conversation, and some conversations have the power to change, or even save, lives. Tap the link in the comments to learn more about our listening skills course.

A few little glimpses from our volunteers on why night shifts are so important. 💚 There’s no schedule for when life gets tough. That's why we're here every hour, of every day even at 3 am, when the world feels quiet, but someone might need to know they're not alone. Donations keep our helpline open when everywhere else is closed and are more vital than ever. If you need someone to listen, call us free on 116 123.

We've had five Prime Ministers in five years. In that time, one thing remained devastatingly constant: the UK suicide rate. So far, we know that 27,444 people in the UK have tragically taken their own lives in that time, but data delays mean the figure for the last 5 years will sadly be significantly higher. We need Andy Burnham to make suicide prevention a real priority. Suicide is preventable, and we know that real action from the government can save lives.

One of the worst things about suicidal thoughts is the way they can make you believe you're a burden. They can convince you that people would be better off without you and that telling people how you feel will only make things harder for everyone else. Those thoughts aren’t true, but they can be part of the thought cycle. We know all too well how impossible it can feel to argue with them when you're going through it. Please don’t face these on your own. Let someone in, whether that’s us or someone you trust. Try and remember that if someone you loved was having these thoughts, you'd want the chance to be there for them. We're here to listen, without judgement, whenever you need us on 116 123

If there’s someone who springs to mind when you read this, that’s your sign to drop them a message. It might make a bigger difference than you know 💚

Our message to the next PM 👇 Someone takes their own life every 90 minutes. We need the next Prime Minister to commit to this urgent issue. Suicide rates have failed to fall in recent years, but the right leadership could change this. Let’s prevent suicide today, because tomorrow’s too late.