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Before we dive deep into this serious topic, I want you to know that if you're thinking about suicide, it's important to talk to someone you trust immediately, like a parent, teacher, friend, or mental health professional. You're not alone in this, and there are people who can and want to help you through this tough time.

Understanding How You Feel

Feeling like you want to escape from everything can be overwhelming. It might feel like nobody understands, or like the pain is too much to handle, but these feelings can change over time. It's okay to feel this way, and it's okay to ask for help. Remember, your feelings are valid, and there's courage in seeking support.

Why Do These Feelings Happen?

There are a lot of reasons why someone might think about suicide. It often happens when a person feels extremely overwhelmed and unable to cope. Stress from school, problems at home, bullying, trauma, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety are just a few of the pressures you might be facing.

It's also important to know that sometimes, chemical imbalances in the brain play a role. These can make it harder for you to handle stress and can make negative feelings more intense. This doesn't mean you're weak; it means your body may need some extra help to feel better.

Talking Helps

Even though it might seem really hard to talk about your feelings, sharing what's on your mind is very important. Speaking to someone can lighten your emotional load and help you see solutions that aren't apparent right now. If talking to someone you know feels too difficult, you might consider calling a helpline or talking to a counsellor or psychologist.

Remember, people who care about you or professionals who understand what you're going through genuinely want to help. They won't judge you; they'll simply want to make you feel safe and okay again.

Immediate Actions to Take

If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, the first step is to ensure you're in a safe place. If you're not feeling safe, it's critical to seek immediate help from a trusted adult or professional services. There are also some immediate actions you can take:

• Remove anything that could harm you from your immediate environment.
• Call a friend or someone in your family who you trust.
• Get in touch with a helpline where trained people can talk to you.
• Try to breathe slowly and deeply; this can help to reduce immediate stress.

Long-Term Strategies

While dealing with such intense feelings, short-term strategies help, but it's also important to consider long-term solutions that address the underlying issues. Here are some strategies that can assist:

• Regular Medical Check-Ups: Regular visits to a healthcare provider can help monitor the health impacts of emotional stress and related conditions.
• Therapy: Various types of therapy can offer significant help. Talking therapies like counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy can help you manage your thoughts and feelings.
• Building a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who support and care about you. This might mean making new friends, joining clubs or groups, or strengthening relationships with family members.
• Physical Activities: Regular physical activity can improve mood and reduce stress. Find something you enjoy, like dancing, swimming, or team sports, and try to do it regularly. Walking or running is a great option as you can do it whenever your feel overwhelmed.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Learning and practising mindfulness can help you manage stress and improve your overall mental well-being. Techniques such as yoga, meditation, or even just regular deep breathing exercises can be very beneficial.

Resources and Where to Find Help

Remember, there are many resources available to help you if you're feeling suicidal. In addition to local mental health services, charities like Samaritans (116 123) and Childline (0800 1111) offer confidential advice and support. Schools usually have a counsellor or welfare officer, and GPs can provide guidance on medical and psychological support options.

By reaching out and exploring these options, you can begin to understand your feelings, find coping strategies, and start feeling better.

Every Situation is Unique

Finally, remember that everyone's situation is unique. What works for someone else might not work for you, and that's okay. The key is to keep trying and to keep talking about how you feel. Recovery is a journey, and it might take time before you start to feel better.

Suicide is a critical issue, but help is available, and there's hope when you access the right support. You are valuable, and your life has meaning, even if it doesn't feel that way right now. With the right help and support, you can overcome these feelings and find a place where you feel happy and safe again.

Remember, talking to someone can genuinely save a life, perhaps even your own. So, whatever you're going through, please speak up. People care, and things will get better.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

• Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
• The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
• SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
• Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.