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Health and wellbeing

Suicide awareness

It is not uncommon for young people to have suicidal feelings.

Very few young people will actually attempt to take their own lives. However, if someone is having suicidal thoughts they are clearly feeling unable to cope and need help and support.

It can be difficult to know what causes a young person to have suicidal feelings – they might be struggling generally with their emotional and mental health or may have very low self esteem. It could be because they are experiencing abuse or being bullied. They might be struggling to cope with something specific such as forced marriage or a bereavement.

If a child is struggling with their mental health or having suicidal thoughts, it can affect the whole family. It can be very overwhelming for parents and carers to find out that their child is feeling this way.

Talk to your child’s school, they are likely to have a counsellor or trained member of staff who can help to support your child at school.

You can also talk to your family doctor, who can speak to your child (if they wish) about how they are feeling. GPs can also refer to local child and adolescent mental health services.

Getting help

NSPCC

Offers advice and information about mental health and suicidal thoughts, including how to spot the warning signs, what to do to help somebody and where to go for help. Helpline for parents.

nspcc.org.uk

0808 800 5000

Papyrus UK

Provide confidential help and advice about suicide prevention to young people and anyone worried about a young person.

papyrus-uk.org

0800 068 4141

pat@papyrus-uk.org.uk

Young Minds

The UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health. They offer support and help for children and young people who have suicidal feelings. They also have a parent helpline.

youngminds.org.uk/

0808 802 5544

Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

Aims to equip young people to look after their mental well being, help them to recognise signs of depression and ensure expert and evidence-based help is available when people need it. Free resources.

cwmt.org.uk

Childline

Offer support to young people about suicide and suicidal feelings. Children and young people aged under 19 can call the confidential helpline (available 24 hours a day) or email or chat online with a counsellor.

childline.org.uk

0800 1111

Samaritans

Confidential free helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - giving people an opportunity to talk about any thoughts or feelings, whatever they may be. Callers do not need to be suicidal to.

samaritans.org

116 123

jo@samaritans.org

If you are concerned that a child is being abused please call

0345 155 1071

or email mash@devon.gov.uk.

If it’s an emergency call 999


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