Legend on the Bench—Suicide Prevention

Important Message.

It’s important to try and understand what people who take their own lives might be thinking, often, in their final messages, they write that life will be better for their loved ones once they’ve come to terms with their death.

But the truth is, life is never better without them. In fact, it’s a million times worse.

The sadness, the heartbreak it doesn’t fade. No matter what time of day, no matter where you are or what you’re doing, the thought of them comes into your mind. Sometimes it’s a warm memory, a happy flash from the past. But other times, it’s questions that haunt you: Could I have done more? Should I have seen the signs? Did I miss something?

The guilt, the what-ifs., the silence they leave behind.

In my honest opinion, we need to speak this truth more loudly and more often, Life is not better without the people we’ve lost to suicide. It’s unimaginably harder.

The impact on those left behind is total devastation. It can trigger deep emotional wounds, ongoing mental health struggles, and lead others into their own dark places. Suicide doesn’t end pain, it spreads it.

To anyone who is struggling or thinking about ending their life, please know that you are loved more than you can imagine, you are not a burden. You don’t have to go through it alone, talk to someone, reach out, Let us help you carry the weight.

Together, we can find solutions. Together, we can survive this. Together we can save lives.

Life is the greatest gift we have, followed by love and kindness. We don’t want to lose you, we want to walk beside you. We want you in our lives, not lost from them.

If you ever feel like life would be better without you, please pause.

Talk to someone, any of the caring and confidential services below. We want you here, not lost to our lives.

💙 Feeling overwhelmed? Please don’t go through it alone. These free helplines can help. 🙏

📞 Samaritans – 116 123 (24/7)

📱 Text SHOUT to 85258 – 24/7 crisis text line

🎓 Papyrus (under 35) – 0800 068 4141 / Text 88247

🧍‍♂️ CALM (esp. for men) – 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight)

🌍 Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – 0800 689 5652

🏴 Scotland (Breathing Space) – 0800 83 85 87

🐉 Wales (C.A.L.L.) – 0800 132 737 / Text “help” to 81066

🍀 Northern Ireland (Lifeline) – 0808 808 8000

🕊 Bereaved by suicide? SOBS – 0300 111 5065

🧠 Mind – 0300 123 3393 / Text 86463

👵 Silver Line (55+) – 0800 4 70 80 90

🛏 Maytree Respite (London) – 020 7263 7070

🏙 James’ Place (men in crisis) – Liverpool 0151 3035757, London 0203 488 8404, Newcastle 0191 046 6000