If you are feeling so down that you can’t see a way out, know that others have felt this way and survived. You are not alone and however bad you feel, you can be helped.
What are suicidal feelings?
Suicidal feelings are when a normal feeling of being very down and not sure where to turn become so deep and intense that the only solution seems to be to end your life.
With nearly 25% of young people feeling suicidal at least once in their lives, it is very common and there are lots of ways of dealing with it and lots of people who have come out the other side.
A number of things can lead up to suicidal feelings but it’s more likely if you’re
- depressed, or have another serious mental illness
- have very low self esteem and feel empty inside
- using drugs or alcohol, particularly if you’re upset
- very anxious about the future or today’s pressures
- under pressure from family or your peers
Suicidal feelings can also dominate your ability to think so much that it makes it hard to understand that you can be helped, whatever the problem is.
What to do about feeling suicidal
If you talk about feeling suicidal you will able to get the
help and treatment you need that will greatly reduce the size of your problems
and with it, reduce the risk of suicide.
There are some warning signs of suicidal feelings:
- always talking or thinking about death
- deep depression
- deep sadness
- loss of interest
- trouble sleeping and eating that gets progressively worse
- feeling helpless or worthless
- self harm
- anger and feeling that things can’t change
Just because you experience one or more of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you definitely have suicidal feelings but if you feel these are linked to a desire to end your life, talk to your GP.
How you can be helped
If you have hurt yourself or think you might be about to hurt yourself, call 999 or go to A and E Take the first step – if you have suicidal feelings, talk to someone you trust. If you are worried they can’t help speak to your GP.