I recently came across a great resource for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and the people that support them.

It is the Staying Safe website and you can find it here. On the website you can find videos, templates, suggestions, and encouragement in making a plan to help you stay safe when things feel so dangerous and fragile.

This is what the website says about itself:

“The Staying Safe website is a potentially life-saving resource developed by 4 Mental Health, with invaluable with invaluable input from our Expert Reference Group of international academics, people with lived experience (including of surviving a suicide attempt, self-harm, supporting a friend or family member or bereavement by suicide), suicide prevention experts, mental health practitioners, general practitioners, policy makers, public health experts, sector experts, educationalists and concerned citizens.

StayingSafe.net offers compassion, kindness and easy ways to help keep people safer from thoughts of harm and suicide, seek support and discover hope of recovery through powerful videos from people with personal experience.

The website provides vital ‘Safety Plan’ guidance tools jointly funded by NHS England, with easy to print / online templates and guidance video tutorials purposefully designed to help people through the process of writing their own Safety Plan to build hope, identify actions and strategies to resist suicidal thoughts and develop positive ways to cope with stress and emotional distress.

Tragically, suicide takes far too many lives, yet suicide is preventable. Anyone struggling to cope or experiencing deep distress may begin to think about harming themselves and consider suicide as a means to escape their emotional pain. It can be incredibly difficult to think clearly during these times. Everyone is encouraged to PREPARE for possible difficult times ahead BEFORE they happen, by completing a Safety Plan.

During times of deep distress, Safety Plans become a vital and valuable reminder of:

• What people can do for themselves to get through difficult times
• Practical ways they can make their situation safer
• Who to contact for support
• Where to go or who to contact in an emergency

It is 4 Mental Health’s hope that anyone currently in extreme distress can share our hope that recovery is possible with the right support and that one day keeping a Safety Plan will be common place and regarded an extension of wellbeing and self-care.

For more information about StayingSafe.net, please contact info@4mentalhealth.com”

Remember, suicidal thoughts are often the result of deep emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion. Spend some time with people that you can be honest and real with, especially those who can help you laugh. Seek help from a GP if you are struggling to sleep, because rest is so important right now. Learn to recognise the signs that things are getting worse, and use your plan to interrupt that cycle. It may take time, but things will get better.