Posted on 28th August 2026
September 10th marks World Suicide Prevention Day with Gateshead Talking Therapies backing the campaign.
This World Suicide Prevention Day Samaritans is sharing one important message:
If you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts, and show them you care.
Small interruptions you make and actions you take could help someone who is suicidal. You don’t have to be an expert to save someone’s life.
This World Suicide Prevention Day, Samaritans has co-created a campaign with people who have experienced suicidal thoughts. They've shared real, practical ways you can help someone you might be worried about.
To learn more about how to interrupt someone's suicidal thoughts visit www.samaritans.org/WSPD
Suicidal thoughts can be interrupted
Samaritans surveyed people with lived experience of suicide with the majority highlighting that their suicidal thoughts had been interrupted
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60% said their suicidal thoughts had been interrupted by someone close to them, like a friend or family member.
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14% said their suicidal thoughts had been interrupted by a stranger or someone they didn’t know.
Visit the following webpages below put together by the Samaritans :
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How to interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts, including real-life examples of how people’s suicidal thoughts were interrupted by strangers or someone they know.
Remember Samaritans are there to listen
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
There;'s also:-
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you're affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts.
Tyneside and Northumberland Mind's Support Line on 0330 174 3174 or 0191 477 4545, available Monday-Friday 2pm-10pm and Saturday-Sunday 12pm-8pm.
If you need urgent mental health support, you can:-
Call 111 (The NHS Direct Service) and select the mental health option, 24 hours a day. Or support by text from trained volunteers by texting “CALMER” to 85258, (24 hours a day).
If you think that you are going to act on ending your life you can attend your nearest Accident and Emergency Hospital (A and E) or call 999.
