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I want to kill myself

Suicidal thoughts can be complex, frightening and confusing.

We’re not afraid of going into difficult areas with you, and we’ll take you seriously whether you’re having a few suicidal thoughts or have made clear plans to end your life.

Call us now for free on 116 123

More about calling us

I want to die. How will talking help me?

We’re experienced in listening to people with suicidal thoughts, feelings and plans and are here to support you:

  • when you’re desperate or on edge, we can help you get through that moment
  • we’ll help you make sense of what you’re feeling
  • we can identify other forms of help if you think you want it.

They are there when all your friends are asleep and you are alone in the world, full of thoughts.

Samaritans Caller

Am I suicidal?

You might be experiencing some of the following suicidal thoughts and feelings:

  • feel sure that you want to die
  • desperately want a solution to your nightmare and can’t see any other way out
  • don't care if you live or die and are taking more risks or living recklessly
  • don't actively want to kill yourself but would welcome death if it happened. You might view death as a release or way of taking control
  • don't know why you are having suicidal thoughts or suicidal feelings, and are completely powerless to know what to do about it.

We can talk with you through all of this.

Will you stop me killing myself?

We hope that, through talking to us, you’ll get to a place where you see your situation in a different light.

If you are not a child or adult at risk, we respect your freedom to make your own decisions, including the decision to take your own life. We’ll continue to talk with you if you’ve taken action to end your life.

Will you tell anybody I’m suicidal?

In most situations and for most people we are a confidential service and we won’t ever tell anyone about our conversation, or even that you called, unless you ask us to. However, there are important exceptions to this. 

We won't call emergency services, except for in these circumstances:

  • You ask us to, and you’re unable to call for yourself
  • You’ve already told us your address, location or phone number, and then become incoherent or unconscious during the call
  • You’re in one of our branches, and you’ve harmed yourself in a way that puts you in danger at that time
  • You are a child or an adult at risk  
  • Your situation fits one of the reasons why we cannot maintain confidentiality

You can read more about these exemptions in our safeguarding policy.

What if I don't want to talk on the phone?

There are other ways to contact us if you prefer not to talk on the phone.

  • Call us
  • Write a letter
  • Email us
  • Welsh language
  • Self-help app

Call us

Whatever you're going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

Benefits

  • Free
  • One-to-one
  • Open 24 hours a day

Maybe not if...

  • You have patchy phone signal
  • You prefer to write things down
  • You're looking for advice

Call us any time, day or night 116 123

116 123 Call us any time, day or night
Find out more

Write a letter

Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you better understand them.

Benefits

  • Free
  • Time to compose your thoughts
  • Time to reflect between letters

Maybe not if...

  • You need urgent support right now
  • You have no fixed address
  • It's hard for you to post a letter

Write to us

Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS

Write to us Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS, , ,
Find out more

Email us

Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand them better.

Benefits

  • Time to compose your thoughts
  • No need to respond right away
  • Work things through over time

Maybe not if...

  • You need urgent support right now
  • You want to talk things through in one go
  • You want to speak to the same person throughout

[email protected]

Response time: 24 hours

[email protected] Response time: 24 hours
Find out more

Welsh language

If you would like emotional support in Welsh, we have a Welsh Language Line which is free to call. We also have a letter writing service in Welsh.

Call now 0808 164 0123

0808 164 0123 Call now
Find out more

Self-help app

Keep track of how you're feeling, and get recommendations for things you can do to help yourself cope, feel better and stay safe in a crisis

Benefits

  • Free
  • Work things through in your own time
  • You don't need to speak to anyone if you're not ready

Maybe not if...

  • You need urgent help right now
  • You want to speak to a volunteer
  • Your internet connection is unreliable

Try Samaritans Self-Help

Launch the app
Try Samaritans Self-Help Launch the app
Find out more

Contact a Samaritan

If you need someone to talk to, we listen. We won't judge or tell you what to do.

Practical ways to help yourself cope

Information on what to do if you're feeling low or struggling to cope.

If you want to self-harm

Whether you sometimes think about self-harm, or you’ve already hurt yourself, we’re here. Read more about how we can help.

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Samaritans is a charity registered in England and Wales (219432) and in Scotland (SC040604) and incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (757372). Samaritans Ireland is a charity registered in the Republic of Ireland (20033668) and incorporated in the Republic of Ireland as a company limited by guarantee (450409). Samaritans Enterprises is a private limited company (01451175).