It’s okay to talk about suicidal feelings
December 20, 2023
Portsmouth City Council has launched a new suicide prevention campaign to encourage young adults who might be feeling suicidal to reach out and seek support.
The campaign reflects that when someone is feeling suicidal, this can be due to a range of factors building up that may make life feel overwhelming. These could be stresses related to work, money, or family, for instance.
There are also circumstances that can put someone more at risk of suicide – for example people experiencing drug and/or alcohol addiction or people who have experienced domestic abuse.
Cllr Matthew Winnington, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Social Care at Portsmouth City Council, said: “Sometimes the problems someone is experiencing can feel overwhelming. We want to remind people that whatever they are struggling with, there is always help available and there is no shame in talking about it.”
Anyone feeling suicidal can reach out for support by either:
- Texting HANTS to 85258 for text messaging support from Shout
- Calling Samaritans on 116 123 for telephone support
Both services are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If your life or someone else’s life is at imminent risk, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Portsmouth City Council’s campaign will run in the lead up to Christmas and over the New Year period.
Further support services – including a crisis card which contains information on services that can help with financial worries, housing problems, domestic abuse, alcohol and drug addiction – can be found at www.portsmouth.gov.uk/mentalhealth.
