In a Crisis
If you are in distress, feeling overwhelmed, or experiencing thoughts of suicide, support is available right now. You do not have to carry this alone.
Important Public Safety Notice:
This website provides verified public-interest information and signposting. This website does not operate an emergency crisis line or dispatch team. If you or someone you are with is in immediate danger, please use the statutory emergency numbers below.
If You Are in Immediate Danger
If you have taken steps to end your life, have injured yourself, or feel you cannot maintain your own safety right now:
- Call 999 immediately. Tell the operator clearly that you or the person with you is in immediate danger from suicidal intent.
- Go to the nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. On the Isle of Wight, the Emergency Department is at St Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, Newport (PO30 5TG).
- Stay with someone. If you are alone, call a trusted friend, neighbour, or family member to come and stay with you until emergency services arrive.
- Remove immediate means of harm. Step away from dangerous locations, hand medications or dangerous items to someone else, or move to a public room or cafe.
If You Are Experiencing Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal feelings can be frightening, exhausting, and all-consuming. But thoughts are not actions. Having suicidal thoughts is a signal that your emotional pain currently exceeds your coping resources—not that your life must end.
Pause: Making It Through the Next 10 Minutes
You do not have to solve every problem in your life today. Promise yourself to hold on for just the next ten minutes, or until the end of the hour. During this pause, try to ground your body and senses:
Need to slow your breathing right now?
4-second box breathing calms the autonomic nervous system.
If You Are Worried About Someone Else
If a friend, family member, colleague, or student appears withdrawn, mentions hopelessness, or you have a gut feeling they may be considering suicide:
What to Do
- • Ask directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?" Be clear and calm.
- • Stay present: Do not leave someone alone if you believe they are in acute danger.
- • Listen with care: Let them speak freely. Avoid arguing, scolding, or lecturing.
- • Involve professionals: Call NHS 111, Samaritans, or 999 alongside them.
What to Avoid
- • Do not promise to keep their suicidal thoughts a secret.
- • Do not minimise their distress ("Everyone gets sad sometimes").
- • Do not leave them near dangerous means or places.
- • Do not carry the burden alone; seek advice from 111 or Samaritans.
Statement: If you are worried about someone else, you can also seek urgent support and advice by calling NHS 111 or Samaritans 116 123.
If You Need Urgent Mental-Health Support (NHS 111)
In England, mental health services are integrated into the free NHS 111 phone service. Dial 111 from any phone, select the mental health option, and you will be routed to trained clinicians who can assess your needs, offer telephone crisis support, or arrange urgent assessment with the Isle of Wight crisis team.
Talking to Someone Who Cares
Sometimes talking to someone outside your immediate circle of friends and family is the easiest way to speak with complete honesty without worrying about burdening loved ones.
Samaritans (Any age)
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Completely confidential and free.
Shout Crisis Text Line (Any age)
Free, confidential 24/7 text support for anyone who prefers texting over speaking.
PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 (Under 35s & Concerned Others)
Dedicated youth suicide prevention line. Open 24/7 every day of the year.
CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably
Suicide prevention helpline and webchat. Open 5pm to midnight every day.
Support After Suicide & Loss
Losing someone to suicide brings complicated, painful, and often disorienting grief. Specialized peer and professional bereavement support is available for individuals and families across the Isle of Wight:
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)
National peer-led support organisation helping adults bereaved by suicide break the silence.
Call 0300 111 5065 (9am-7pm Mon-Fri)Cruse Bereavement Support (Isle of Wight)
Free, confidential bereavement counseling, telephone support, and local advice for Island residents.
Call 0808 808 1677 (Helpline)Local Isle of Wight Services
In addition to national phone lines, the following verified physical hubs and statutory teams serve residents across the Isle of Wight:
Isle of Wight Safe Haven (Newport)
Drop-in mental health sanctuary open Mon-Fri 5pm-10pm, Weekends 10am-10pm. High Street, Newport. Call: 01983 520166.
Sevenacres Psychiatric Unit & St Mary’s Hospital
Parkhurst Road, Newport. Specialist inpatient and acute assessment through A&E or NHS 111. Call: 01983 534033.
Isle of Wight Youth Trust (Young People ages 4 to 25)
114 Pyle Street, Newport. Dedicated emotional wellbeing and youth counselling. Call: 01983 529569.