Suicide-Safer BSU
This page outlines the support available for students and staff, facts and myths about suicide, useful guidance and resources to help raise awareness and understanding of suicide.
Content warning: This page contains explicit reference to suicide. It includes advice and how to access help.
If you or someone you know are experiencing thoughts about suicide, help and support is available.
Experiencing thoughts of suicide is not as uncommon as people may think. These thoughts may range from wishing you weren’t here anymore or thinking others would be better off without you to making plans to end your life.
They can feel frightening, overwhelming, and difficult to talk about – but whatever you’re going through, you're not alone.
On this page you can find support, advice and resources to help you, or someone you know, to cope, respond and start to have honest and open conversations.
The 黑料正能量 Suicide-Safer Strategy lays out 黑料正能量's commitment to creating a suicide-safer community.
Use the quick links below to skip to the information you need on this page.
Are you, or the person you are with in serious danger of harm? Call 999
If you've seriously harmed yourself – for example, by taking a drug overdose – or you feel that you may be about to harm yourself, call 999 for an ambulance or go straight to A&E. You can also ask someone else to call 999 or take you to A&E.
Find other crisis resources at the link below.
Non-urgent wellbeing support
Please don’t keep suicidal feelings to yourself. Tell someone you trust.
- On campus: If you (or someone you know) are on campus and don't feel able to keep yourself safe, call Security on +44 (0)1225 875555 and they'll put you in touch with staff in .
- Not on campus: If you're not on campus, call 111 or go to your nearest A&E (Accident and Emergency) department.
How you can help others
It’s important to be able to speak openly with other students and staff about suicide, particularly when someone you know has attempted or completed suicide. This can help everyone to grieve and process the trauma. Talking to others and listening to their concerns can also help to highlight when someone is having difficulty coping or needs extra support.
Most people don’t know exactly what to say or do. Being there for each other and listening is much more important than feeling you have to have the right words or answer. If you're struggling, please reach out to others, whether that's , friends, colleagues, family or external support organisations (some are listed above).
The impact of suicide on our community at Bath Spa
Whether or not you know the person, an attempted, suspected or completed suicide can be traumatic and distressing. How you respond can be unpredictable – often people respond or react in different ways and it’s important to be aware that there is no right or wrong way to feel. All our feelings are valid regardless of your connection to the person.
Mental health and wellbeing support for students
- Make an appointment with if you are a student
- Go to the Student Hub and say you need help from Student Wellbeing Services
- Contact the Student Assistance Programme (available 24/7)
- Current 黑料正能量 students: Access ‘’ to book appointments and view upcoming events, and ask questions by logging a call via '
- Future students: Access ‘’ to ask questions and view upcoming events
- Third parties, including parents and supporters: Email studentwellbeing@bathspa.ac.uk
- After 5pm or at weekends, call Security on +44 (0)1225 875555; they can put you in touch with Student Wellbeing Services (24/7).
Mental health and wellbeing support for staff
If you (or someone you know) is struggling with your mental health there is help available. Please don’t try and cope alone. Here are some options:
- Visit the if you are a member of staff
- Contact , who offer face-to-face and telephone support in the evenings (Bath)
- Contact the
- Further information about 24/7 support services can be found on this website
- After 5pm or at weekends, call Security on +44 (0)1225 875555; they can put you in touch with Student Wellbeing Services (24/7).
Myths and facts
Myths and facts about suicide
Myth: You can’t ask someone if they’re suicidal.
Fact: Evidence shows asking someone if they’re suicidal could protect them. Asking someone if they’re having suicidal thoughts can give them permission to tell you how they feel and let them know they are not a burden.
Myth: People who talk about suicide aren't serious and won't go through with it.
Fact: People who die by suicide have often told someone that they do not feel life is worth living or that they have no future. Some may have actually said they want to die.
It's possible that someone might talk about suicide as a way of getting attention, in the sense of calling out for help.
It’s important to always take someone seriously if they talk about feeling suicidal. Helping them get the support they need could save their life.
The majority of people who feel suicidal do not actually want to die - they just want the situation they’re in or the way they’re feeling to stop.
Myth: If a person is serious about killing themselves then there's nothing you can do.
Fact: Often, feeling actively suicidal is temporary, even if someone has been feeling low, anxious or struggling to cope for a long period of time. Getting the right kind of support at the right time is so important. In a situation where someone is having suicidal thoughts, be patient, stay with them and just let them know you're there.
Myth: People who are suicidal want to die.
Fact: The majority of people who feel suicidal do not actually want to die; they just want the situation they’re in or the way they’re feeling to stop. The distinction may seem small, but it is very important. It's why talking through other options at the right time is so vital.
Words matter and training
Words matter - talking about suicide
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Zero Suicide Alliance Training
We encourage everyone in our Bath Spa community to do the Zereo Alliance Training There's also training specifically for university students.
It takes 20 minutes and will help you have a better understanding of suicide, why it happens and ways you help to prevent it.
It also breaks down the stigma surrounding sucicide including the discomfort many of us feel about having direct conversations about suicide, encouraging and giving permission for open communication about it. Use the links below to access the training relevant to you.
More sources of support
Help and advice
If you're thinking of taking your own life and not sure you can keep yourself safe or are with a friend or colleague who is feeling this way, offers straightforward and practical advice, including how to make a safety plan for right now until you can get some support.
is the UK's free, confidential 24/7 mental health text service.
Bereavement support
has resources and support for those bereaved by suicide including a monthly meeting held in Bath.
promotes the wellbeing of bereaved people and helps to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. They also provide support, information, advice, education and training services.
provides support groups for those bereaved by suicide.
Guidance for universities
The has also provided advice, guidance and resources for Universities.
The provides practical support and guidance to help university communities prepare for and recover from a suspected or attempted suicide.
offers mental health advice and services.
Support for carers
See Mind's tips for
Are you a carer? See Mind's advice on .