Help is at hand for Bristol people at risk of suicide says Samaritans director

In the wake of the death of Bristol nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who apparently took her own life, Bristol Samaritans has urged people in distress to turn to them.

The organisation, which offers confidential emotional support 24 hours a day 365 days a year, has reminded people in Bristol help is at hand.

Bristol Samaritans receive around 60,000 contacts a year – via telephone, text message, email and in person. Around 12,000 of them are from people expressing suicidal thoughts; director Martin Baxter told This is Bristol.

He said: “Our 24-hour service offers a safe place for people to talk and be heard. Our aim is that less people die from suicide, and we hope they talk to us before it gets to that stage.

“We say, ‘if you want to talk we won’t judge you’. Your friends and family may say ‘come on, get on with it’, but we are just here if you want to talk.

“You can say anything to us; things you may not feel able to say to anyone else. There’s no way of knowing where you’re calling from and it’s totally anonymous if you want it to be.”

Bristol Samaritans is based in 37 St Nicholas Street, and opens from 7.30am to 9pm seven days a week.

They can be contacted 24 hours a day via telephone on 0117 983 1000. Alternatively, the national Samaritans can be contacted on 08457 90 90 90.

Bristol Samaritans also provide support via email at jo@samaritans.org, and for the past two years the branch has run a text message service on 07725 909090.

To find out more, click here.

Other organisations which offer help to people in crisis are:

Bristol Mind

Bristol Mind offers a confidential freephone helpline to Bristol and South Gloucestershire residents on 0808 808 0330.

The MindLine helpline is available from Wednesday to Sunday from 8pm until midnight.

Trained volunteer listeners offer confidential support and can provide information about local services and how to access them. They can also give basic information about mental health issues.

Visit www.bristolmind.org.uk for more details.

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide

National organisation PAPYRUS offers a helpline staffed by trained professionals who offer non-judgemental support, practical advice and information. Support is available to children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35 who are worried about themselves, and anyone who is concerned about a young person.

The helpline – which can be contacted on 0800 068 41 41 -is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm. It is open from 2pm to 5pm on weekends.

They also offer help via email at pat@papyrus-uk.org, or via text message on 07786 209697. You do not have to give your name or location.

To find out more visit www.papyrus-uk.org.

Bristol Crisis Service for Women

Bristol Crisis Service for Women supports girls and women in emotional distress, particularly those who self-harm.

The team can be contacted via text message – text TESS on 0780 047 2908 (open Monday to Friday from 7pm to 9pm); or privately via email. Click here.

To find out more, visit www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk.

Calm - Campaign Against Living Miserably

National service Calm offers support for young men aged 15 to 35 on issues which include depression and suicide.

The national Calm helpine can be contacted seven days a week, from 5pm to midnight on 0800 58 58 58.

Callers can talk through any issue – staff will listen and offer information and signposting.

Calls are anonymous and confidential and won’t show up on a phone bill. Calls are free from payphones and from mobiles on 3, Virgin, Orange and Vodafone networks.

Visit www.thecalmzone.net.