Feeling suicidal

What is suicide?

Suicide is the act of taking your own life most commonly due to mental health issues such as depression

Suicidal feelings is the act of thinking about killing yourself or that the people around you would be better off without you

Common suicidal thoughts

  • Hopeless – there is no point being alive
  • Unwanted – not needed by friends or family
  • Overwhelmed by your thoughts
  • Upset - there is only one choice

Learn to recognise the warning signs – this will be helpful in recognising signs in others and in yourself. These include:

  • Talking about suicide or death
  • Difficulties eating, sleeping
  • A substantial change in mood or a recent experience of a serious loss
  • Withdrawal from social activities and a loss of interest in school or appearance
  • Starts taking unnecessary and potentially dangerous risks and may increase their drug or alcohol consumption

 

Steps for support

  • If you feel that you are suicidal you can call  the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) which will direct you to suicide prevention support in your area
  • Call the Glasgow University Nightline service which is a confidential telephone support and information service run for students, by trained student volunteers run by the Glasgow University SRC.  Available every night of term from 7pm till 7am contact them on +44 (0)141 334 9516.  https://www.gunightline.org/
  • Speak to a family member, friend or someone you feel will listen – YOU ARE NOT ALONE

 

Useful Resources

  • MoodJuice – work through your feelings and get helpful advice on how to deal with suicidal thoughts 
  • DistrACT app – this is a discreet way to gain helpful advice and tomanage your suicidal thoughts 
  • Read and access resources around suicide prevention day is Monday the 10the of September this year
  • Gain some useful insight into the causes behind suicidal thoughts and support available to you through the charity MIND
  • Watch these Ted X talk on reducing the stigma around depression:

Suicide Prevention by Lynn Keane
Shattering the Silence: Youth Suicide Prevention by Sadie Penn

 

Contact information

  • Counselling and Psychological Services - 67 Southpark Avenue Glasgow G12 8LE Tel: 0141 330 4528, Email: studentcounselling@glasgow.ac.uk
  • If your or someone you know is suicidal contact your GP or NHS 111 for immediate advice
  • Alternatively, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or jo@samartins.org for a safe place to talk about your own suicidal thoughts or your concern of a loved one
  • Breathing space – 0800 83 85 87 is a free confidential service to help you to talk about your thoughts and feelings and work through these in a confidential environment
  • Call the university's crisis team if your or someone else is at risk of suicide: Available 24/7 via Security, Gilmorehill: 4444  (0141 330 4444), Garscube: 2222  (0141 330 2222), Off campus: +44 (0)141 330 4444
  • Talk to the peer support team for your college - if you feel that talking to an external body or professional is scary you may be interested in talking to a fellow student. Peer supporters are students who will listen to your issues and help you to work through your feelings. Find out more here