A better Medway

Suicide prevention

In an emergency

If you do not feel you can keep yourself or another adult safe from immediate risk of harm, you should:

  • phone 999
  • go to the nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department of your local hospital
  • phone NHS 111, option 2. You'll then be put through to local services. 

For emergency children and young people's support, phone NHS 111, option 2. You'll then be put through to local services. 

Hub of Hope

Hub of Hope is the most comprehensive and expanding national database of support services primarily for all mental health related support. It also extends to dementia, addiction, and other areas.

The Hub of Hope app is free to download from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Take a look at the hub

Self-harm

Emerge advocacy

Emerge is a charity that provides short-term support to young people aged 10 to 25 years who find themselves in A&E because they are struggling with anxiety, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

They're made up of a team of youth support workers who are experienced in this area and here to help. Emerge’s team give their time to provide distraction, encouragement, care and can help you to process your thoughts and feelings.

Emerge are available to chat over the phone or via text on 07983 136 215. Or you can ask your doctor or nurse to make a referral to the team.

Take a look at how Emerge can help

Alumina

Alumina is a free, 7 week online course for young people aged 14 to 19 years who are struggling with self-harm.

Each course can host up to 8 young people, all accessing the sessions from their own phones, tablets or laptops across the UK.

The courses take place on different evenings of the week and are run by friendly, trained counsellors and volunteer youth workers.

You do not need an adult to refer you or sign you up, and no-one will see or hear you during the sessions – you’ll just join in via the chatbox.

Alumina can help you find your next steps towards recovery, wherever you are on your journey.

Find out more on the Alumina website

Support services

These services are free and offer confidential advice and support from trained volunteers.

Find out more about each service by clicking the links in the list below:

Medway Safe Haven

If you're feeling distressed, frightened, overwhelmed or that things are too much for you right now, Medway Safe Haven can help.

Find a Safe Haven

Release the Pressure

It's natural to feel anxious or under stress in uncertain times. If you're feeling the pressure today, do not suffer in silence.

Release the Pressure is a free, confidential 24-hour service. Support is available whenever you need it.

To get in touch you can:

Release the Pressure is provided by independent charities and funded by Kent County Council and Medway Council.

Healthy mind

A collection of self-help techniques to help you improve your mental health.

Find out more on our healthy mind page.

Safety planning

Download the free #StayAlive app to create your own safety plan. 

Find out more information about creating safety plans.

Release the Pressure can also help if you're worried about someone else but do not know how to help or start the conversation.

Read the help is at hand guide if you have been affected by suicide.

The Samaritans

The Samaritans helpline provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support.

You can contact them by:

This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Emails will be responded to within 24 hours.

Visit the Samaritans website for more information.

AMPARO

A new specialist service in Kent and Medway for anyone who has been bereaved by a suicide. 

Find out more about AMPARO

Hope and recovery: Living Warriors Films

There is always hope. Each Living Warriors film tells the story of the road to recovery from the darkest points.

The 7 films were made to:

  • raise awareness of mental health experiences
  • allow those involved to get their message heard and to help others who may face similar challenges.

The films were produced for World Suicide Prevention Day 2020. The films were funded by the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Innovation Fund.

To watch the films, visit the Living Warriors website.