"You don't even know me - that doesn't mean I don't care." This is the reply of a Basingstoke woman after speaking to someone contemplating the worst.

Phoebe Dilly, 24, had been cycling home from work across an M3 motorway bridge when she passed someone, exchanging a smile, Phoebe continued cycling. Phoebe works as a Collections administrator.

As Phoebe reached the other side she looked down and realised the traffic travelling beneath the bridge had been stopped.

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Phoebe quickly walked back, leaning on the handrail and asking the man if they were okay. 

They shrugged, not saying anything, which prompted Phoebe to ask if she could tell them a story - opening up about her own mental health battles.

The man responded, saying: "Nobody seems to care."

Phoebe said the man told her that he had reached out for help before but received none.

Phoebe listened and said: "I care."

The man replied: "You don't even know me," to which Phoebe said: "It doesn't mean I don't care - it does get better."

Phoebe continued the conversation, eventually bringing the man out of his shell, and beginning to start engaging in the conversation.

Phoebe said she had been surprised to find they had a lot in common.

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Phoebe continued: "He asked if I was with the police or not and when I said no he seemed to relax a little bit more.

"We kept talking about random things, like how I was going out for dinner that night.

"As we carried on talking police approached and eventually together we managed to get them away from the road.

"It was one of the most rewarding things, watching them smile back at me as they walked away with the police."

Speaking after the incident, Phoebe said: "Even if you don’t know what to do in the situation, talking with people can save lives no matter how little you exchange, or even the content of what you exchange.

"Take care of your fellow human beings. If someone needs help see what you can do to help and if you don’t feel you can get them to someone who can or report it.

"Equally, if you need help speak up. As my uncle and my mum tell me, always look after number one.

"I can only hope this helps someone, even if it’s just one person. Prioritise you and care for those around you."

For more information and guidance about mental health and suicide visit samaritans.org. You can call the Samaritans on 116 123.