Samaritans

‘Person centered care’ is a key focus in a report we've created as part of our work with the Suicide Prevention Consortium. It calls on policy makers and professionals to take action and improve support for those who are struggling. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4izHYRt We’re proud to be part of the Suicide Prevention Consortium alongside National Suicide Prevention Alliance, Support After Suicide Partnership, and WithYou.

Suicide and self-harm data by sexual orientation in England and Wales has been published for the first time today by the Office for National Statistics - and it paints a stark picture that demands urgent action. The statistics show that people from minoritised sexual orientations face a much higher risk of suicide and self-harm. These figures can’t be ignored - Government must act now to tackle this inequality. While today’s data is an important start, we know the full picture is incomplete. Barriers still exist to people feeling able to disclose their sexual orientation, and many people don’t attend hospital for help with self-harm, so sadly the reality could be even starker Urgent action is needed across healthcare to tackle the barriers that LGBTQ+ people face to getting the support they really need. Local community spaces by and for LGBTQ+ people can also be a lifeline but far too often fill the gaps in statutory services. More investment is needed now. Having data specifically on suicide and self-harm by sexual orientation is a hugely important first step for suicide prevention. The more we know, the more that can be done to improve interventions that could prevent people from LGBTQ+ communities from taking their own life. Read more about our response to today’s ONS data: https://bit.ly/4cpgpb7

Getting support for suicidal thoughts needs to become simple. No barriers, no wrong turns – just help when you need it. ‘No wrong door’ is a key focus in a report we've created as part of our work with the Suicide Prevention Consortium. It calls on policy makers and professionals to take action and improve support for those who are struggling. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4izHYRt We’re proud to be part of the Suicide Prevention Consortium alongside National Suicide Prevention Alliance, Support After Suicide Partnership, and WithYou.

Last year, the Health and Safety Executive estimated over 33 million working days were lost due to work-related poor health, with stress being one of the leading contributors. These figures need to be a wake-up call to organisations and employers to invest in their people. Stress is our body’s natural reaction to feeling under pressure. Too much stress can lead to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion. And in our busy lives, it’s easy to ignore the warning signs. Supporting your teams and people by giving them the skills to combat stress and build personal resilience is a real step change for any organisation. Many of our Samaritans Training and Engagement Programmes (STEP), equip participants with practical strategies to strengthen their personal resilience and enhance their wellbeing so they can respond effectively to challenges in their role and environment. Find out more about Samaritans Training and Engagement Programmes: https://bit.ly/3aA4whN #StressAwarenessMonth

If today feels heavy, please know you don't have to face it alone. Whatever today brings up for you, we're here to listen day or night on 116 123 📱

Suicide prevention starts with the right support, at the right time, for everyone. Our latest report released as part of the Suicide Prevention Consortium shows how we can make a real change to help us get there. It highlights how we can turn policy into real, effective support for people struggling with suicidality. We’re calling on policymakers and practitioners to take action by: - Improving collaboration - Making support more inclusive - Raising staff awareness and building confidence - Supporting the workforce Read the full report to see what needs to change so no one feels excluded or unsupported when seeking help. Together, we can improve care and save lives: https://bit.ly/4izHYRt We’re proud to be part of the Suicide Prevention Consortium alongside National Suicide Prevention Alliance, Support After Suicide Partnership, and WithYou.

This World Poetry Day, Hussain Manawer shares 'The Words You Carry'. A powerful new poem, written for our Small Talk Saves Lives campaign, reminding us that we all have the power to make a difference through our words. Listen and share, as together, we can create a community of small talkers.💚 #SmallTalkSavesLives #WorldPoetryDay

Tonight’s episode of EastEnders featuring Phil’s month at the mental health unit was a powerful one. Storylines like this help show that mental health struggles can affect anyone. It’s so important to see these stories told with care. The EastEnders team has done a great job, and we were really proud to have worked with them to help inform Phil’s story. Suicide is not inevitable and just having someone to listen, without judgement, can help save a life. We hope anyone who identifies with Phil’s struggles will feel able to reach out to talk about what they’re going through. We’re always here to listen on 116 123.

Our research shows that as a nation, 67% of us say we would appreciate someone checking on us, offering words of support if we were struggling to cope. A simple conversation could help save someone’s life, but knowing how to start one isn’t always easy. Do you have any go-to small talk conversation starters? Share them in the comments. 👇 #SmallTalkSavesLives

Today is Uni Mental Health Day. 🎓 University is full of new experiences, adventures, and opportunities for growth. But it can also feel overwhelming. Let's take a moment today to remind the students in our lives that they're not alone. Here are some things you could do to show your support: 🔁 Share this post. 🧠 Comment your top tip for looking after your mental health. 💬 If you know someone at university, send them a message checking in. ☎ Remind them we're here to listen for free, 24 hours a day, on 116 123. Your actions could make a big difference.