If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frightened, or unsure where to turn, you are not alone.
The Inspiring Futures Media Blog is a dedicated space for mental health awareness, bullying support, and real-life stories that help people feel seen, heard, and supported.
This guide highlights trusted mental health support options across Birmingham, the Midlands, and the wider UK, including 24/7 listening services, local wellbeing organisations, and real-life stories drawn from our books at Inspiring Futures Media. These stories reflect lived experience, recovery, and the journey toward emotional healing.
Inspiring Futures Media is the creative force behind The Cost of Silence®, an initiative focused on mental health awareness, bullying experiences, suicide understanding, and long-term emotional recovery. Through our blog, books, and community connections, we share real stories that raise awareness, offer guidance, and promote resilience for individuals, families, and professionals alike.
Suicide is a major public health concern in the UK — particularly affecting young people and men under 50. Many lives lost are connected to a lack of support, early understanding, and compassionate intervention.
At Inspiring Futures Media, we use the power of storytelling to support people through dark and overwhelming moments. Our books share lived experiences from those who’ve faced suicidal thoughts and found their way forward. These stories give readers strength, show that recovery can happen, and remind us that no one has to face this in silence.
If you or someone else is at immediate risk
📞 Call 999 or go to the nearest A&E
📞 Contact Samaritans (116 123) – available 24/7
📱 Text SHOUT to 85258 for free crisis text support
🫂 Stay with the person, or have someone stay with you
🔒 Remove access to anything that could be used for self-harm if safe to do so
Remember: the moment you ask for help can be the moment everything starts to change—just as many of our book contributors have experienced.
These helplines are free, confidential, and available right now:
Samaritans – 📞 116 123 (24/7 support for anyone)
Shout Crisis Text Line – 📱 Text SHOUT to 85258
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – 📞 0800 58 58 58 (Men, 5pm–midnight)
Papyrus HOPELINEUK – 📞 0800 068 41 41 (Under 35s)
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – 📞 0800 689 5652 (6pm–midnight)
If you’re based in the Midlands, the following services provide local, in-person or phone-based help
🏢 Locations across Erdington, Northfield, Selly Oak & more
🕔 Open 5pm–11pm for emotional support
🗓️ No referral needed
🗺️ Offers local resources, bereavement support, and prevention guidance
Many people across the Midlands have shared how reaching out to local support services became a lifeline in their darkest moments, reminding them that healing is possible and no one has to face a crisis alone.
Look out for signs in yourself or others that may indicate emotional crisis
Talking about death, suicide, or feeling like a burden
Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities
Sudden calmness after long-term depression
Giving away possessions or saying goodbye
Increased substance use or risky behaviour
If you’re suffering in silence, please reach out.
Our mission is to support mental health and suicide prevention through real-life storytelling, education, and community healing.
📘 Books – Real stories of emotional struggle, healing, and resilience, written to support mental health and inspire hope
💻 Digital Resources – Support pages, guides, and online content designed to help people understand mental health challenges and find safe, trusted information
🤝 Partnerships – Working with educators, families, and wellbeing organisations to raise awareness and encourage open conversations
Inspiring Futures Media is the professional organisation and publishing house that creates books and digital tools to support emotional wellbeing.
At the heart of our work is: The Cost of Silence®
Our registered trademark and emotional initiative — dedicated to helping people, especially young people, speak up, seek support, and heal.
Everything we do flows through this mission
Even with growing awareness, too many still struggle in silence. Whether it’s emotional pain, bullying, anger, or suicidal thoughts — the silence surrounding these experiences continues to cost lives.
We created Inspiring Futures Media and The Cost of Silence® to challenge that silence with honest stories, supportive resources, and life-changing tools that help people feel seen, understood, and supported.
Explore our collection of books designed to guide, comfort, and empower readers facing emotional challenges.
It’s Okay Not to Be OK
A supportive guide for anyone pretending to be fine. You don’t have to hide your feelings — this book gives you space to be real.
It’s OK to Struggle
You’re not failing. You’re surviving. This book offers honest stories and tools for people facing emotional or mental health struggles.
Dopamine & Devotion
A self-help guide that explores why we chase highs, people, and validation — and how to break the cycle. This book helps readers understand emotional dependence, rebuild self-worth, and reconnect with their true selves. Now available in eight languages.
🛒 Available now from Inspiring Futures Media.
Perfect for: parents, teens, teachers, therapists, support workers.
Inspiring Futures Media is more than a publisher — we are a voice for those who have been silenced. Through books, campaigns, and education, we support mental health, prevent bullying, and guide people from darkness into light.
Whether you’re reaching out for support, collaboration, book orders, school resources, or just to share your story — we’re listening. Every message matters. Every voice counts.
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