Get help now: Call 116123
Talk to someone now - call Samaritans on 116123
If you or someone else is in immediate danger call 999
How to help yourself
- Call the 24/7 NHS local urgent mental health response phone line. It's free to access by anyone, any age on 0800 038 5300
- Visit A&E if you are concerned that you can’t keep yourself safe - during the current situation, please do not feel that you are a trouble to the NHS, they are there to help you if you need it
- Dial 999 if you are unable to visit A&E and you have harmed yourself
- If you don't want to attend a hospital and you want to speak to someone during the day talk to your GP, tell the receptionist about how you feel so they can make the GP aware as soon as possible
- Talk to someone who can understand such as Samaritans, you can call them free from a mobile or landline on 116 123
- If you don't want to talk to someone, please see the text service options below
- Make a safety plan. Visit our Mental Health Safety Planning page for more information and to download a plan for yourself.
Out of Hours support
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provides a telephone helpline through Support Matters Cornwall.
Out of hours support is available from 5.00pm to 9.00am on weekdays and 24 hours a day at weekends and bank holidays.
The service is open to all people aged 16+ under the care of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's mental health services. You can call free on 0800 001 4330. Support can be delivered over the telephone, via text, email or web chat.
If you want to talk to someone who can help:
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) 5pm - midnight 0800 585858 or use the webchat facility on their website
Childline (for anyone under 19) free to call 0800 1111
Papyrus (for people under 35) 0800 068 4141 (Mon-Fri 10am-10pm Sat-Sun 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–5pm or text 07786 209 697
Samaritans free to call from landline or mobile 24/7 365 days a year 116 123
SHOUT - a new 24/7 text service for anyone who is in a crisis you can text 85258
How to help someone who is feeling suicidal
If you are concerned that someone is feeling suicidal, they have already made an attempt at suicide, or they have told you that they are intending to end their life and they are in immediate danger then you should call 999.
If someone has said that they have thoughts of suicide and that they don't know what they want to do, then you should support them to call their GP, and tell the receptionist the situation.
The Staying Safe website has instant online access to help you talk to someone, and the best ways to help them. It's important that the person you are talking to feels listened to, and that someone cares about them.
If you would like to take part in free training to help you talk to people about suicide you can find information on training and dates on the Healthy Cornwall website, and click on suicide first aid.
Zero Suicide Alliance e-learning
You would not be alone in thinking that suicide is a complicated, and at times distressing topic to learn about. However we also live in a caring county where people want to help and support their family, friends, work colleagues and even strangers.
We are proud to promote the Zero Suicide Alliance’s free introduction to suicide awareness training. In just 10 minutes you will learn how to approach and help someone that you think may be considering taking their own life. This e-learning is for everyone. It strives to reduce the stigma around mental illness and suicide whilst also encouraging you to look after your own wellbeing.
Giving 10 minutes of your time could make a life changing difference to someone – take action now!
Have you or someone else been affected by suicide?
Being bereaved by suicide can have an impact on loved ones left behind.
In Cornwall we have a dedicated service which can support friends and family of someone who has died by suicide. The Suicide Liaison Service provides support through trained professionals with specialist skills. If you or someone you know would like to access this free service you can call them direct on 01208 871905, or referrals can be made by your GP/health professional.
The Help at Hand book is full of helpful tips and information for anyone who needs support after someone they know has died by suicide.
At work
If you have been affected by the suicide of a work colleague, a suicide in the workplace pack is available for you to download. We hope that you'll never need it, but we want to make sure you're equipped if you do. It provides useful information and guidance for when the crisis happens, and for looking out for signs of post traumatic stress and secondary trauma in colleagues in the weeks that follow. It's important to identify any staff who might be struggling and to let everyone know that it's OK to admit they are struggling.