Wellbeing Services in Devon

Suicide Support

Help if you’re thinking of ending your life

I’m having suicidal thoughts

If you’re having thoughts about ending your life, then please tell someone.

  • Help and support is available for you right now and is there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • Reach out, as there are people ready to support you – you don’t have to struggle alone.
  • Remember too that feelings change over time and these can too, so you don’t have to decide anything right now. Why not wait and find out about the help and support that’s here for you?

If you have seriously harmed yourself in some way, dial 999 and ask for the Ambulance Service or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department, or ask someone else to do this for you.

For urgent support in Exeter, you can also call the NHS First Response service available 24/7 on 111. You will be able to speak with a mental health professional and gain advice on the best course of care.

If you’re not in Exeter, then you can find your local Urgent Mental Health Line by visiting the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

You can also contact (non life-threatening emergency) our University security teams who are available 24/7, 365 days of the year

Most people who are suicidal don’t want to die but can see no other option to resolving their pain. You might have clear plans about suicide or more general thoughts. Try to remember that these are only ‘thoughts’ and that there is help and support out there for you. In time these thoughts can change. Why not hold off from making a decision right now and give yourself a chance to find a way through – you can start by reaching out to the help that’s available? 

Remember anyone can have these thoughts, whatever their age, race, gender or personal circumstances.

Men are more likely to die by suicide. If you’re a man, you may find it harder to talk about your feelings, or try to cope on your own, but it’s really important to reach out so please try. Why not use the text services below if you don’t want to talk on the phone?

First Response service – NHS Devon Partnership Trust
Call: 0808 196 8708 (24 hours, 7 days a week)

Samaritans
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org (24 hours, 7 days a week)

Student Space from Student Minds

Papyrus (for people under the age of 35)
Call: 0800 068 4141 (9am-midnight every day) 
Text: 07860 039967
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

CALM - (available to all, with a focus on support for men - who make up 75% of all suicides)
Call: 0800 58 58 58
Webchat: https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat/ (5pm-midnight, all year)

Websites

Message a text line

If you don’t want to speak to someone, you can message instead

Not in the UK?

Download the Stay Alive app

  • Stay Alive app – this is a pocket suicide prevention app with info, features and advice to try to help you stay safe

Worried about someone else?

If at first you don’t find the help you need, persist. Try all avenues and don’t give up.

Remember – it is safe to talk about suicide with someone if they seem really down and you think they might be thinking about ending their life.

  • Make sure they’re not left alone
  • Remove anything they could use to take their own life
  • Download the Stay Alive app which is packed with contacts and information to help prevent suicide
  • Phone your doctor’s surgery (outside normal surgery hours, you’ll be directed to an out-of-hours service)
  • Call 999 or take them to A&E and stay with them until they are seen by a member of the mental health team.
  • If you’re in Devon you can call First Response service – NHS Devon Partnership Trust Call: 0808 196 8708 (24 hours, 7 days a week)
  • Even if it’s only a hunch, share your concerns with others
  • Don’t be afraid to involve their loved ones, friends or colleagues
  • Share this Devon County Council leaflet with others and plan together how you are going to keep the person safe

Please make sure you seek support...

  • Talk to your own GP about your feelings
  • Confide in a trusted friend or loved one  
  • Find a support group for carers of people with mental health problems

Bereaved by suicide?

Losing a loved one, friend, coursemate or colleague through suicide is incredibly hard. If this has happened to you, please don’t feel you have to suffer alone – there are organisations out there for you. Often survivors feel guilty, or even angry, and can be reluctant to talk about what has happened. If this is how you feel, remember you aren’t alone and - very sadly – there will be others who are experiencing similar thoughts to yours.

We really urge you to reach out and talk to those who can help you: