Get help with
Suicide is when you die from an intentional, self-inflicted act (Scottish Government, 2022).
It is very normal to feel sad or down every now and then, however, sometimes these feelings can become overwhelming or intense. Sometimes when this happens, some people consider suicide. If you are experiencing these suicidal thoughts, it is very important that you tell someone you can trust to support you to get help at an early stage.
Suicidal feelings can develop suddenly or over a period of time. Although there is a link of suicide to depression, having depression doesn’t mean you will feel suicidal. People may experience suicidal thoughts or feelings even when their life is going well. Click here to read more on ‘low mood’.
If you use self-harm behaviour as a way to cope, this does not automatically mean that you are suicidal, although there is a risk attached to those who self-harm experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings. Click here to read more on ‘self-harm’.
Having suicidal thoughts or feelings can be so overwhelming that it can feel as though you will never get better. But it can get better no matter how bad things may feel.
If you, or someone you know, has thoughts about suicide, it is very important that you speak to someone about this. That could be a trusted adult such as a family member or someone in your school, or a helpline such as Childline. There is help and support available to you. No matter how difficult things may seem at the moment, things can often feel better when you talk with someone and share how you are feeling. This can be a first step in getting the right support.
