Welcome to your Autumn 2026 edition of 24/7!

Suicide can feel like a subject that sits outside the workplace, something too personal or too difficult to discuss. Yet the reality is very different. Workplaces are often where behavioural changes are noticed and where the right support can make a real difference. In the UK, approximately 22 million work days were lost due to work-related stress, anxiety or depression in 2024/25*.

Last autumn, The British Standards Institution (BSI) published the UK’s first standard (BS 30480) for addressing suicide risk in the workplace. Samaritans is proud to have collaborated in the standard’s development along with other mental health organisations, government bodies, and educational institutions.

The standard offers free guidance to create safe cultures for organisations of all sizes and across all sectors. It marks an important step forward for intervention, prevention and support for people affected by suicide.

But for workplaces, the real work starts now. Implementing the best practice outlined means embedding action into everyday workplace culture, creating environments where stigma is reduced and support is accessible.

*Source: (Data source: Labour Force Survey (LFS) 2024/2025

https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/dayslost.htm)

Find out more about the new BSI standard

Amy, a Lived Experience Advisor on our World Suicide Prevention Day campaign shares her thoughts on why interruptions can be positive.

We always think of interruptions as a negative thing. Disturbing us, annoying us, affecting us in a bad way.

But that isn’t always true.

Interruptions can be good. A sudden message from a friend telling us unexpected, lovely news; a surprise visit from someone we are happy to see; a piece of good news that makes us smile.

Now, imagine that interruption coming at a time of greatest need. A time when it could make the difference between a life lost or a life saved.

This is what we are harnessing with our campaign for World Suicide Prevention Day. Interrupting someone when they are in their darkest place and interjecting a little ray of light.

It doesn’t need to be huge. It can be as simple as just saying something. Just reaching out for a moment which interrupts but makes all the difference. A text message, an unexpected phone call to a friend, a smile at a stranger.

In the landscape we live in, tangible hope seems to get further from our grasp. Yet, it is there. It’s in you. You can create it. You can share a moment of kindness with someone. Let them know you are there.

That is the potential power of an interruption. You could save a life.

What could be more worthwhile than that?

Read more tips on how to interrupt someone's suicidal thoughts

Content warning: This article discusses sexual assault and suicidal thoughts.

Bella received a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD), PTSD and bipolar disorder in 2019. After attempting to take her own life, she’s now a professional motivational speaker and an outspoken advocate for normalising mental health conversations in the Black community.

In the Black community, you don’t talk about your pain. Most people don’t know about talking therapy, and there’s stigma about talking about your feelings, let alone seeking help. That’s why it’s so important to share my experience.

When COVID-19 happened, I had more time to reflect. Lots of things came back to me. I was forced to address my feelings.

When I was five, I was sexually abused by three boys in the school playground. I kept it to myself, because I didn’t know what was happening or that it was wrong. I kept the baggage until I was in my forties, when I started to accept and unpack it. But I wasn’t equipped to deal with it and everything escalated.

Before lockdown, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and became suicidal. Everything came back to loneliness. There’s a lot of shame about feeling lonely and it’s difficult to admit to.

I wanted to mask my pain and attempted to take my own life. I went to a psychiatric unit and that’s when I knew I needed help, and I knew I could call Samaritans.

Every person I spoke to said the same thing, “You can call us again you know, it’s OK.” Then I found out Samaritans were volunteers, not even getting paid. That really impacted me.

I went through therapy and came to understand why I felt so lonely. BPD meant that I didn’t know how to form relationships. My abuse meant that I didn’t trust anyone easily.

Now, I wake up and I feel it’s my time and my world. I put my mental health first. I know I’m not the same person that wanted to end my life. I value my life. I used to be very future oriented, but now I live in the moment. The future is today. To anyone struggling to cope, it’s OK not to be OK. You’re allowed to feel your feelings and put your mental health first.

After university, Oscar joined Samaritans as a listening volunteer and found significant moments connecting with people over the phone and online.

People just want to be heard; they don't want you to solve their problems, and I think that's why Samaritans is so good.

People will tell me things they wouldn't tell a single soul on earth. The anonymity of our service lets them do that. They don’t know who’s on the other end of the phone, all they know is that they’re trained to be a good listener and they care.

I had a call where someone was actively suicidal and I had to contact emergency services, who confirmed they were now with that person and they were safe. That was a really significant moment for me; being able to connect with that person and being that lifeline that they needed for a few moments.

Helping people online

I've also done a lot of online chat, and I think it's absolutely crucial for young people.

From my experience, people using online chat seem to be more actively suicidal. However, I will more frequently see an improved outcome. That’s why it feels so positive when you end those online chats.

Being a Samaritan grounds you and provides a perspective about life and helps you to see the bigger picture. It’s great to feel like you’ve contributed to something so positive in society. I would highly recommend volunteering to others.

Running for #TeamSamaritans

This year, I ran the London Marathon as part of #TeamSamartians. I hit my fundraising target on my birthday, and it was the best present ever! I also did a talk at work and invited everyone I had ever worked with. Loads of people came and I told them about what Samaritans do. People were really generous.

The marathon was simply sublime, easily one of the best days of my life, and intensely emotional. The support from the crowds, people who donated, and the Samaritans cheer points was sensational. I also raised £3,258 so I’m buzzing.

There are plenty of amazing charities out there, but when you've volunteered for Samaritans for four years and you see what they do, the breadth of their work and the impact it has, it’s literally life-saving stuff for some people.

An Eternal Star Tribute Fund is an online place where you, your family and friends can celebrate the life of someone special. You can share cherished memories, photos and thoughts, light virtual candles and send virtual gifts. Over time, your fund could grow into a treasure trove of memories dedicated to your loved one.

Through your Eternal Star Fund, your family and friends can also choose to fundraise for Samaritans. It’s a permanent home for all your memories, which you can visit anytime and reflect on how much you have achieved together.

And all funds you raise through your Eternal Star Fund will help Samaritans be here to listen 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Create your Eternal Star Fund