A message from Emily Evans, Everyturn’s Deputy Chief Executive.
Content/trigger warning: in this blog, we talk about suicide.
“It’s World Suicide Prevention Day today.
An important reminder that talking openly about suicide can save lives.
Suicide continues to have a devastating impact on people, their families, friends and communities. More than 6,000 suicides were registered across England and Wales in 2024, and the North East continues to have the highest suicide rate of any region in England (Office for National Statistics).
These statistics are stark, and behind every number is a real person who felt alone.
We need to change this.
World Suicide Prevention Day is an important opportunity for us all to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and talk openly about suicide. It’s also a chance for us all to take the steps we can to help prevent suicide, by making sure that support services are available for anyone, where and when they need it.
This year, World Suicide Awareness Day comes at a particularly challenging time for the mental health sector; only this week we’ve seen the closure of PAPYRUS, a charity that spent almost 30 years supporting young people and leading suicide prevention work across the UK.
The closure of PAPYRUS highlights the growing pressures facing mental health and suicide prevention charities, at a time when demand for support remains high. This year, Everyturn’s Crisis Support Services received 5,805 referrals and delivered 75,568 support sessions; a stark reminder that community-based services are most certainly needed right now.
At Everyturn Mental Health, we know that early support, compassionate conversations and strong community connections can make a real difference. Suicide prevention is not the responsibility of one organisation alone. It requires all of us, including services, communities, workplaces, families and friends, to work together to create safe spaces where people feel able to talk and seek help.
This World Suicide Prevention Day, and beyond, lets check in with the people around us, listen without judgement, and remember that even a simple conversation can help someone feel less alone.
At Everyturn, we’re committed to helping people access support early, reducing stigma, and reminding everyone that they do not have to face difficult times alone. Let’s continue to talk openly and have open conversations to continue to help everyone”.
Getting support
If you’re thinking about ending your own life, it’s really important to tell someone. If you have a crisis plan, we’d advise you to use this.
If you don’t have a crisis plan and you feel at risk of harming yourself, or can’t keep yourself safe, please contact one of the organisations below for immediate support:
- Emergency 999 – call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department if you or anyone else is in immediate danger of harm.
- NHS mental health crisis team – call 111 and choose option 2 for NHS mental health support
- Samaritans – call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 (24/7)
- CALM – Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm – midnight, every day)
- Shout – 24/7 support via text message. Click here to find support in your area.
Supporting someone else
If you’re going to start a conversation with someone that you’re worried about, try to make it a judgment free, safe space. Sometimes we might worry that we’ll make someone feel worse by asking them if they’re suicidal, but it’s important to be direct. Asking directly can make the person feel more able to open up.
If you’re looking for some advice on supporting someone who is feeling suicidal, or if you want to feel more comfortable having conversations about suicide:
- NHS mental health crisis team – call 111 and choose option 2 for NHS mental health support
- Zero Suicide Alliance – free, online suicide awareness training.
- We need to talk about suicide – read our Advice Hub article to learn more about suicide, how to get support, and how you can support someone else.