World Suicide Prevention Day 2023
Sunday 10 September 2023 is World Suicide Prevention Day and we want to reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health in the legal profession.
Trigger warning: mentions suicide. Please read with care.
If you feel suicidal please tell someone you trust immediately. You are not alone and there is help out there now.
- Get medical help – call your GP and ask for an emergency appointment, call 111 or get in touch with your mental health crisis team if you have one. If your life is in immediate danger call 999.
- If you feel like you can only call a helpline, then contact one which specialises in suicide. You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 at any time about anything (you don’t need to be suicidal). You can also email them on jo@samaritans.org. See below for more helplines and organisations that specialise in supporting people who are suicidal.
The NHS website has some very sound advice on their Help for suicidal thoughts webpage.
LawCare support legal professionals with their mental health and wellbeing, but we aren’t the right helpline if you are suicidal. We’re first resort, not last resort. Please call our helpline if you want to talk to someone about how you are feeling, but if you are suicidal please call one of the specialist helplines.
Worried about someone else?
It can be very hard to know how to support someone who is struggling with their mental health who is thinking about suicide. The Samaritans have lots of information about this: How to support someone you're worried about.
Mental Health First Aid England have a short video called Suicide. Let’ talk.
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Helplines specialising in suicide
If you feel like you can only call a helpline, then contact one which specialises in suicide.
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Samaritans - 116 123
Anyone can call the Samaritans. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Their number is FREE to call and you don't have to be suicidal.
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Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 58 58 58
CALM is for men and their helpline is open 5pm to midnight every day.
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Papyrus - 0800 068 41 41
Papyrus is for people under 35 who are suicidal. You can also call if you are concerned about a young person who might.
- Hopeline 247 website
- Text: 07860039967
- Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
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Shout – text shout to 85258
Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. It is available day and night, but please call 999 for immediate help if your life is in danger.
Other organisations that can help
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Jonathan’s Voice
Jonathan’s Voice aim to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues and to empower people to speak up and reach out for help when they need it. They work closely with organisations to raise awareness and support them to develop better mental health and wellbeing practices in the workplace.
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SANE
SANE provides emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.
The SANEline is available on 0300 304 7000 from 4.30 to 10.30pm every evening.
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Zero Suicide Alliance (20 suicide prevention)
Zero Suicide Alliance aims to empower, educate, and equip individuals and organisations to support suicide awareness and prevention. They have a great page which had more information about where to turn if you need urgent help:
We're here to listen...without judgement
Contact our free, confidential, emotional support service for the legal sector
0800 279 6888
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