World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10th)

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a day to raise awareness, combat myths and misconceptions, and eliminate shame and stigma.

This year’s theme is ‘Start the Conversation’. It aims to promote conversation about suicide to reduce stigma and normalise suicidal thoughts and feelings. Many people will have suicidal thoughts/feelings and every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a supportive and understanding society.

Someone who has experienced sexual violence may also experience suicidal thoughts/feelings as a result of the violation they have experienced. Sexual violence is a traumatic event. Trauma can cause overwhelming feelings that may make you feel like you cannot cope any longer. It may be impossible to imagine life without this pain, and you may feel very alone. Feeling/thinking like this can be exhausting and can be very frightening. 

You are not alone. You deserve help and support. There are people who want to help.

You do not need to cope on your own. You may be scared or concerned about seeking help, but there are local groups and national helplines which can provide support, advice, and care for people experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings. We have included a list below of some of these services below.

If you are finding that you are thinking about how you would end your life, or if you have a history of attempting suicide, then it is important to get help straight away.

• NHS 24 NHS 24 mental health services are available to everyone in Scotland, of all ages. The services they offer include listening, offering advice, and guiding you to further help if you require. 
  • call 111
• Samaritans is a national helpline for people affected by suicide. You can call them at any time of day. They also have a webchat, email chat and you can write them a letter. The Aberdeen branch also offer face-to-face support.
  • call 116 123
• Breathing Space is a helpline number for people in Scotland who have are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings. You can contact them by phone or webchat.
  • Call 0800 83 85 87
• Papyrus is a charity dedicated to preventing youth suicide. They run a helpline and you can contact them by phone, text, email or webchat
  • call 0800 068 41 41
• Childline offers advice, support, and counselling to young people.
  • call 0800 1111
• Prevent Suicide North East is an app that contains helpful information and contacts about where to get support locally (Moray, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire) if you are struggling with suicidal thougts and feelings.
• Rape Crisis Scotland National Helpline offers confidential short-term, crisis and initial support by phone, email, webchat and text for people who are affected/have been affected by sexual violence.
  • call 08088 010302
• James Support Group offer local support groups for for anyone affected by suicide & those who suffer suicidal thoughts. They meet once a month in Elgin at the Ex-Servicemens Club.
  • call 07563 572471
• Mikeysline runs an online mental health helpline, as well as offering individual one-to-one support sessions in person or over zoom.
  • text 07786207755
• Sonas (Action for Children) is a service providing emotional support for young people aged 5-26 years.
  • email sonas@actionforchildren.org.uk
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a charity who provide helpline support, advice, and information to people who have been affected by suicide. Helpline is open every night 5pm-midnight by phone, webchat or WhatsApp.
  • call 0800 58 58 58
• Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide offer peer-led support for people who have been affected by bereavement by suicide. They offer phone and email support, an online forum, as well as a support group based in Aberdeen.
  • call 0300 111 5065
• Cruse Bereavement offer a helpline for people who have been affected by bereavement. Helpline open 9am-8pm Mon-Fri and 10am-2pm on weekends.
  • call 0808 802 6161