For Suicide Prevention Day, I want to share something personal. My name is Isaac Samuels, I’m part of the LGBT community, and I’ve faced some really bleak times. I remember one night, sitting alone in my room, feeling completely hopeless, thinking no one could understand or help me. I felt so broken and lost that I didn’t know if I could keep going. And in that moment, I picked up the phone and called Samaritans. That call saved me.
Someone on the other end listened. They didn’t judge me, they didn’t tell me to snap out of it. They just heard me. That simple act of connection reminded me that even in the toughest moments, life is worth holding on to.
I’ve survived, but I’ve also been affected by suicide. I know the weight it leaves behind. Life can be joyful, but it can also be unbearably tough, and sometimes it feels impossible. One in four of us will have suicidal thoughts at some point. That’s not just a statistic, it’s our friends, our family, our colleagues, and sometimes ourselves.
One of the hardest things about suicide is how taboo it is. Talking about it openly can make people uncomfortable, or even lead someone to hide their pain. But silence kills. Elizabeth Taylor said, “The stigma around what we don’t talk about is what truly hurts, and sometimes it kills.” Avoiding the conversation doesn’t protect anyone – it leaves people alone with their pain.
That’s why Samaritans exists. They prevent suicide through human connection. Every 10 seconds, someone calls Samaritans, and every 10 seconds, someone listens. Volunteers from all walks of life are there day and night, listening without judgment, whoever you are, whatever your background, beliefs, or identity. They make sure someone is always there.
It’s not just about the call. Samaritans raise awareness, campaign for suicide prevention, and build partnerships so no one feels alone. Every hour, every day, every life matters to them.
So here’s my ask: listen more, reach out more, be there for someone who might be struggling. Volunteer, donate, share the message, or just ask someone how they really are and wait for the answer. That act of connection can save a life.
If you’re reading this and you feel broken, alone, or like there is no way forward, please believe me – you are not alone. There are people who want to listen, who want to help, and who want you to keep living. Life is worth it. You are worth it. You deserve another day, another moment, another chance.
Carry this with you: a small act of care, a moment of listening, can be the reason someone decides to stay. Be that reason. Be the light in someone’s tough time. Every life matters, including yours.
Thank you for listening, thank you for caring. Suicide is not inevitable. You can interrupt someone’s suicidal thoughts. You could save a life.
For World Suicide Prevention Day, we’re sharing one important message: if you think someone might be suicidal, take action, interrupt their thoughts, and show them you care. Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland dies by suicide, and 1 in 4 of us has had suicidal thoughts.
Learn more, support the cause, or get involved at samaritans.org.
