All people can have feelings of despair or extreme distress. But for refugees and asylum seekers these feelings may be compounded by the experiences which caused them to leave their country, as well as anxiety about the uncertainty of their asylum status or their current living conditions in the UK. For some this may be expressed through self harm or suicidal desires. Self harm and suicidal feelings should never be ignored.

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The Samaritans

The Samaritans is a UK charity which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. In the UK phone: 08457 90 90 90, for the cost of a local call. In the Republic of Ireland phone: 1850 60 90 90, for the cost of a local call.

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Befrienders International

Befrienders International is a network of 357 befriending organisations worldwide - such as The Samaritans. Trained volunteers offer a service that is free, non-judgmental and completely confidential. People can be befriended by telephone, in face-to-face meetings, by letter and by email. Email crisis services are available in English, Norwegian, Malay, Estonian, Hungarian, German, Dutch and Polish.

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Careline

Careline provides confidential counselling for young people and adults. It provides counselling on a variety of issues, including depression. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 10am - 4pm and 7pm-10pm. Phone: 020 8514 1177.

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Mind:

How to help someone who is suicidal

This booklet is aimed at partners, friends and colleagues who want to understand suicidal feelings and how they can help when someone they know is in distress. It can be viewed as a non-printable booklet or can be ordered from the site.

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Mind:

Suicide factsheet

This factsheet is a comprehensive briefing on suicide, which includes information on suicide prevention, the effect of suicide on others and useful organisations.

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NHS Direct:

Suicide

This NHS briefing includes information on the government's National Suicide Prevention Strategy, which was launched in September 2002 to reduce incidences of suicide. It states that risk factors for suicide include the breakdown of social support and isolation, placing refugees at particular risk.

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Royal College of Psychiatrists:

Suicide and attempted suicide,

1999

This factsheet for parents and teachers is part of the college's mental health and growing up series. It explains the risks of suicide for young people and what can be done to help.

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National Children's Bureau:

Child and adolescent self harm in Europe. January 1998 to December 2003

This extensive study is seeking to monitor medically treated self harm episodes among young people, investigate self harm in the community and provide information resources on young people and self harm.

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BMJ:

Management of patients who deliberately harm themselves,

by Goran Isacsson and Charles L Rich,, 2001

BMJ 2001; 322: 213-215 (27 January). This article states that patients who deliberately harm themselves should be assessed comprehensively and thoroughly, including for the risk for suicide. And patients accepting offers of help should be followed up quickly.

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British Journal of Psychiatry:

Deliberate self harm and antidepressant drugs - investigation of a possible link,

S Donovan et al,, 2000

Summary of a study about possible links between medication and self-harm. British Journal of Psychiatry 2000; 177 (December): 551-556.

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