Self Harm & Suicidal Feelings
Warning: Information on self-harm and suicide may be potentially triggering or upsetting to read.
If your life is at risk right now
If you feel like you might attempt suicide, or may have seriously harmed yourself, you need urgent medical help.
If you are on your own, reach out now to someone you trust
Call 999 for an ambulance
Go straight to your local Accident & Emergency or Emergency Department if you can
Speak to your health professional or local crisis team for help
If you can’t do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.
It is important you get help.
Mental health emergencies are serious. You are not wasting anyone’s time.
Crisis Support
If you feel in crisis, phone emergency services or a crisis hotline.
Northern Ireland & UK
- Call: 0808 808 8000 Lifeline. 116 123 The Samaritans
- Text: 85258 SHOUT, the 24/7 UK text support service
- Email: jo@samaritans.org. It may take several days to receive a reply by email.
Ireland
- Call: 1800 247 247 Pieta 24/7 Crisis helpline. 116 123 The Samaritans
- Text: HELP to 51444 the Pieta Free 24/7 Crisis helpline
- Email: jo@samaritans.org. It may take several days to receive a reply by email.
Mind the Mental Health charity has created some useful tools to support young people during a crisis.
Your Mental Health is important.
Please note that some of the video clip or links included in this resource include information on suicide and self-harm that may be challenging to read. Accessing this material can be emotionally distressing at a personal level for many parents, family members or educators. Some helpful advice is offered through Mind the mental health charity.
Self-harm, or self-injury, describes a wide range of thoughts and physical behaviours people deliberately do to themselves that appear to be harmful.
Suicidal Feelings is the term used to describe the thoughts and feelings someone who wants to stop living may express.
Dr Rachel Mosely, who researches topics including mental health, suicidality, self-injury, ageing and late-diagnosis, discusses the relationship between autism, suicidality and self injury in this short video clip.
Read next: Self Harm & Autism →