At some point in their lives, many people think about suicide. For some people the thoughts can be very strong and they may have a plan of how to kill themselves and perhaps when and where they intend to do it. For others, more general feelings about wanting to stop the stress and pressure may be around.

You or someone you know could be feeling that the only way out is to commit suicide. When someone becomes overwhelmed by feelings, thoughts and circumstances it can get to a point where it seems that the only way out is to opt out of life. It may seem that life just isn’t worth living, that there is no point to it or that the pain is too great to be able to carry on any longer.

The feelings may have started with something that happened a long time ago and things have built up to a point where you just can’t cope. Or perhaps it is something that has happened recently and suicide is the only way out that you can see just now. Or you may not know what is causing you to feel like this.

If you are feeling like this you may be feeling very alone and you may not have been able to share your feelings with anyone. You could be afraid of what other people will think of you or what they might do if you talk to them about how you’re feeling.

There are people who can help and support you to get through this, without judging you. The most important thing for you to do at this point is to find someone to share your feelings with. Try some of the following options. They could help if you are thinking about killing yourself or if you are supporting someone who is suicidal:

• Talk to someone you know about what’s going on for you at the moment – this may be a friend, someone in your family, an acquaintance, someone you study with, maybe a course rep. Or tutor

• Talk your feelings through with your GP

• Have a chat in confidence with a counsellor about how you are feeling

• Use the contacts and links below to make contact with someone and get support for yourself

• Allow yourself time to sort these feelings out and move on

• Depression
• Mental health
• Emotions
• Stress

For further help try:

• The Samaritans - 08457 90 90 90
• Young Minds
• About Suicide from an American Website
• Mental Health Net support
• Support from Befrienders International if you, or someone you know, is feeling suicidal
  

For other sources of help:

• Student Services
• LampDirect
• The Samaritans - 08457 90 90 90