Some people can say why they feel suicidal, but others may not have a clear reason, or they may struggle to talk about what they are feeling or experiencing. We all go through tough times. People may feel suicidal because something has happened which feels too overwhelming for them to cope with, they may feel trapped and unable to escape from the situation. It may have been a situation that has been building up over time or be a recent event. Whatever it is it may leave the person feeling isolated and alone and believing that people would be better off without them. When we feel like this, or when things happen we feel unable to cope with, or overwhelmed by, suicide can start to feel like the only option to escape. Struggling to cope and having thoughts of suicide can stem from many different situations, such as: job loss, redundancy or failure of a business money or housing problems bullying and discrimination adjusting to a big change, such as retirement, pregnancy or parenthood sexual, domestic or physical abuse long-term physical pain, illnesses or mental health problems bereavement or losing a loved one to suicide relationship breakdowns or losing access to children isolation or loneliness addictions such as gambling, alcohol or drugs being in prison feeling inadequate or a failure, or that good things happening to others around you cultural pressure, such as forced marriage, or doubts about your sexual or gender identity Thoughts of suicide may also arise as a result of an accumulation of seemingly minor events, from the 'straw that broke the camels back'. And sometimes even seemingly positive life events can result in thoughts of suicide. Suicide is the biggest killer of new mothers in the UK. Thoughts of suicide may become more intense if a person drinks alcohol, uses recreational drugs or has sleep problems. What’s important to know is that whatever the reasons someone feels suicidal, these reasons are significant and valid.