Getting support for thoughts of suicide isn't shameful...
Sometimes life can feel too much. It can feel like carrying on living is too heavy a burden to carry. Like there's no life left in you anyway, so what's the point?
If this is you, then perhaps you've experienced some of the following thoughts?
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"I wish I could just disappear"
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"Why do I feel so empty all the time?"
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"How can I stop this pain?"
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"People would be better off without me"
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"Is it normal to think about dying so much?"
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"I wish I hadn't been born"
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"What's the point? I'm just a burden."
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"No one would miss me if I was gone."
1 in 4 adults in England experience thoughts of suicide at some point in their lives, yet so many people who have thoughts of suicide feel so much shame, like there is something wrong with them.
If this is you then I want you to know that, firstly, I don't think there is anything wrong with you for having these thoughts. Secondly, whether your thoughts of suicide are pervasive or come in waves, your experience is valid and it's important you have space to talk about them.
I aim to provide you with a space where you can safely talk about the thoughts of suicide without someone jumping in to tell you why you shouldn’t feel that way or all the things you have to be grateful for. After years of supporting people with thoughts of suicide I understand that is not helpful as it just generates feelings of guilt and shuts the conversation down.
I'm here to open the conversation up. To really try to understand your inner world and what's going on for you that suicide has started to feel like an option.
This doesn't mean that we'll simply sit with these thoughts without doing anything about them. I also understand how distressing these thoughts can be so we won't just work on understanding them, we'll work together on how you relate to these thoughts so they feel more manageable.
I'm also aware that our experiences of the world around us can have a significant impact on how we see ourselves, our lives and our future. Experiences of trauma, feeling different or misunderstood, discrimination, marginalisation, or feeling unable to be fully yourself can all affect our sense of safety, belonging and connection. This is why I work in a trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and LGBTQIA-affirming way so therapy is personalised to your experience.
This personalised approach means every person's experience of therapy will look different. However, I am ASIST trained and have years' worth of experience supporting individuals experiencing thoughts of suicide, including safety planning, which informs my therapeutic approach.
Some of the things we might explore together, which people can find helpful, include:
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Developing genuine curiosity about the different parts of you - the part that wants to die and the part that wants to live - and what they are trying to communicate.
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Working together to create a detailed safety plan that is personalised to you, not just a tick box activity.
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Building your capacity to regulate emotions and establishing safe ways of expressing your emotions.
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Understanding how life experiences have played a role in your perspective and finding self-compassion for this rather than shame or judgement.
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Understanding any feelings of burdensomeness and strengthening a sense of connection in your life.
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Supportively challenging any feelings of helplessness and building your sense of agency over your life.
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Exploring your existential stance on the meaning of life and finding your purpose..
Let's Connect
If you're looking for a safe space to talk about your thoughts of suicide, drop me a message.
I aim to get back to all enquiries within 48 hours. My inbox is only monitored during my working hours.
If you need more immediate support please reach out to the 24/7 services below.
Immediate Support
If your immediate safety is at risk or you need crisis support, please reach out to one of these 24/7 services.
Emergency Services: 999
Samaritans: 116 123
NHS Crisis Line: 111
Shout Text Line: 85258