To mark World Suicide Prevention Day (10th September), the NHS in London is encouraging everyone to talk more and share how they feel.

Although talking isn’t always easy, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is leading the way in Channel 5 TV tonight at 9pm in ‘Suicidal: In Our Own Words’.

The powerful programme explores issues of suicide through the experiences and point of view of six men, and the support provided by the remarkable team at Riverside Mental Health Centre in Hillingdon.

It will be followed immediately by a programme that will discuss how to help people who are talking about suicide.

The team at Hillingdon are among many people in the NHS, charities and other organisations across London who provide mental health support.

If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, it’s important to tell someone. Help and support is available right now if you need it. Find helpful advice here or to speak to someone now call Samaritans on 116 123.

The NHS in London is supporting the Thrive LDN campaign to get 100,000 Londoners to take online suicide prevention training over the next 12 months.

The training, created by the Zero Suicide Alliance, is free and only takes 20 minutes. Sign up now

Martin Machray, Joint Acting Chief Nurse, NHS England & Improvement (London region), said: “I wholeheartedly support the Mayor of London and Thrive LDN’s Zero Suicide LDN campaign. Research among people who have considered suicide shows that talking honestly and openly about suicide helped to save their lives.

“By taking just 20 minutes to complete the online training, we could all help save someone from taking their own life. 

“The training is designed to give everyone the skills and confidence needed both to better identify suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and to give you the information to direct someone towards the support they need.”

The campaign is part of a shared goal to make London a zero suicide city and is supported by the Mayor of London and partners including London Councils, London’s police forces, Transport for London, and other emergency services, such as London Fire Brigade and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, alongside voluntary and community groups.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

• CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
• Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
• Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
• Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
• Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
• Movember, www.uk.movember.com