Ask Sam letter

Hi there,

Experiencing suicidal thoughts and self-harm can feel scary and overwhelming. You should never have to cope with these feelings alone, it’s good that you want to reach out for support.

There’s no right or wrong way to start a conversation about how you’re feeling. There are a few things that can help though. You could start by thinking about the best time and place to talk about it, when your parents won’t be distracted and you’ll feel safe to talk. Some people like to talk after a trip in the car, so they don’t have to look directly at someone.

When you’re worried about how someone might react, it can help to tell them that before you say anything. Sharing that you’re worried can help them to see how difficult you’re finding things. Some people find it helps to write things in a letter or message first to start things off, we’ve got a template that can help. Even if you don’t use it, writing down your thoughts can make it easier to talk.

You can’t control how someone might react or what will happen next, but it can help to think about whether they’d want to know how you’re feeling. When people care about us, they want to know what we’re going through, both good and bad. It can also help to remember that getting past the first conversation can help you stop feeling so alone with all of this.

Whether you’re speaking to someone in your life or not, you’re never alone. Remember, you can get support from Childline about any of these feelings. We’ve also got advice on alternatives to self-harm and ways to cope with suicidal feelings.

Take care,

Sam