These services are free and anonymous. You can also call 911 (US), 999 (UK), or your emergency services number to be connected with a trained professional. If you are a university student, your university may have a suicide prevention line, often through campus police.
In the United States, it’s illegal for emergency rooms to turn you away in an emergency, even if you don’t have health insurance or can’t pay. [5] X Research source You can also look up mental health crisis centers or suicide prevention clinics in a directory. You may find low-cost options there.
You may feel worried or embarrassed about talking to someone about your feelings. The people who love you will not judge you for sharing these feelings with them. They will be glad that you called rather than try to handle everything on your own. You can’t predict when new options might appear. It’s impossible to know what might happen if you just wait 2 more days. If you act on your thoughts now you’ll never find out what could have been.
Examples of coping statements could include: “My depression is talking, not me,” “I will get through this,” “I’m just having thoughts right now - they can’t make me do anything,” “There are other ways to handle my feelings. ”[8] X Research source
If you don’t feel like you can stop, be with someone else - don’t stay by yourself. Avoid being alone. Solitude does not help suicidal thoughts, in fact, it can worsen them to a great extent.
Write down what you love about yourself - your personality traits, physical traits, accomplishments, and things that make you proud. Write down things you plan to do later in life - the places you want to travel, the children you want to have, the people you want to love, experiences you’ve always wanted. It may be helpful to have a friend or loved one help you with this list. Depression, anxiety, and other common causes of suicidal thoughts can get in the way of allowing you to see what is wonderful and special about you.
Eating at your favorite restaurant Calling an old friend to talk Watching your favorite TV shows and movies Rereading a favorite book that brings you comfort Going on a road-trip Looking at old emails that make you feel good Hanging out with your dog in the park Going for a long walk or run to clear your head
Write down the names and phone numbers of your therapist and support group members. Write down the names and numbers of crisis hotlines you might want to call.
Read my list of Things I Love. Remind myself of the things I love that have helped prevent me from committing suicide before. Try an item from my list of Good Distractions. See if I can distract myself from suicidal thoughts with something that has worked in the past. Call someone on my list of People in My Support System. Keep calling people until I get in touch with someone who can talk for as long as I need to. Delay my plan and make my home safe. Lock away anything I could use to harm myself, then think things over for at least 48 hours. Ask someone to come stay with me. Have them stay until I feel OK by myself. Go to the hospital. Call the emergency services. Give a copy of your plan to a trusted friend or loved one. Whenever you experience suicidal thoughts, consult your safety plan.
If you don’t feel safe staying by yourself at home, go to a place where you do feel safe, like a friend’s house, your parents’ house, or a community center or other public place. If you are thinking of taking an overdose of prescription medication, give your medicines to a trusted loved one who can give them back to you in daily doses. [13] X Trustworthy Source HelpGuide Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources. Go to source
Treatment for depression is successful in 80-90% of cases. Common and effective treatments for people considering suicide include:[17] X Research source Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps you change unhelpful and “automatic” ways of thinking Problem-solving therapy (PST) can help you learn how to feel more confident and in control by learning to solve problems Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) teaches coping skills and is very helpful for people with borderline personality disorder Interpersonal therapy (IPT) helps you improve your social functioning so that you don’t feel isolated or unsupported Your healthcare professional may recommend a combination of medication and therapy. Be sure to take all medications as prescribed. Be aware that some medications may increase suicidal thoughts. If you experience any suicidal thoughts after taking your prescriptions, contact your doctor.
Drinking alcohol and doing drugs. It feels good at first, but it can turn negative thoughts into suicidal ones very quickly. Alcohol is involved in at least 30% of suicides. People who are physically or emotionally abusive. Books, movies and music with dark, emotional themes. Stressful situations. Being alone. [19] X Trustworthy Source FamilyDoctor. org Family-focused medical advice site run by the American Academy of Family Doctors Go to source
Increase in use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances Feeling hopeless or purposeless Feeling angry Increased recklessness Feeling trapped Isolating yourself from others Feeling anxious Sudden changes in your mood Losing interest in things you used to enjoy Change in sleeping habits and/or appetite Feelings of guilt or shame
Talk with a spiritual figure. If you’re a spiritual or religious person, you may find comfort in talking with a spiritual figure, such as a rabbi or priest. Chat with a friend. Make a habit of reaching out to at least one person a day, even on the days where you don’t want to. Isolating yourself from others can contribute to increased suicidal thoughts. Call a hotline. Don’t feel like you can only call a suicide prevention hotline once. Even if you need to call every day or several times a day for a while, do it. They’re there to help you. Find a community of people like you. People in groups who are often oppressed, such as LGBT people have a higher risk of suicide. Finding a community where you can be yourself without facing hate or oppression can help you stay strong and love yourself. [23] X Research source If you’re a young person who’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer and are considering suicide, call the Trevor Lifeline in the US at 1-866-488-7386 or instant message them from their website. [24] X Research source
Call or text the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. If you’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, or trans, call 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564) If you’re a veteran, call 800-273-TALK and press 1 If you’re a teenager, call Covenant House NineLine at 1-800-999-9999 You can also find support groups in the US by visiting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s website. [28] X Trustworthy Source American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Health organization devoted to saving lives and helping those affected by suicide. Go to source
Myths about suicide, such as the idea that it’s a selfish act, are perpetuated by many cultures, causing people who have suicidal thoughts to feel guilty or ashamed on top of the negative feelings they’re already burdened with. [30] X Research source Learning how to separate these myths from reality can help you cope better with your thoughts. Find some positive mantras that you can recite when you feel down. Affirming that you’re a strong person who is worthy of love can help you remember that these suicidal thoughts are only temporary. For example, “I am feeling suicidal at this moment. Feelings are not facts. They will not last forever. I love myself and will honor myself by staying strong” or “I can learn how to cope with these thoughts. I am stronger than they are. ”
For example, if you feel hopeless over your finances, seek out a financial planner or counselor. Many communities and universities run low-cost clinics to help people learn how to manage money. If you feel hopeless over your personal relationships, ask your therapist about social skills training. This type of training can help you overcome social anxiety and awkwardness to form and maintain meaningful relationships with others. Try taking a class in mindfulness meditation, or learn on your own. Studies have shown that mindfulness, which focuses on accepting what is happening in the present moment without avoiding or judging it, can be helpful in managing suicidal thoughts. [32] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Bullying is a common cause of suicidal thoughts in young people. Remember not to blame yourself: someone else’s treatment of you is their responsibility, not yours. Counseling can help you cope with bullying and preserve your sense of self.
Going to exercise classes can also be a good way to connect with others so you don’t feel isolated or alone.
Talk with your doctor if you can’t sleep.
If you are struggling with alcohol, find a local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous. This organization can help you overcome your problems with alcohol, which may help with your suicidal thoughts. [38] X Research source
Remind yourself that feelings aren’t facts. When you experience these thoughts, take a moment to challenge them by saying something like “I am feeling right now like people would be better off without me, but the reality is that I just talked to a friend today who said she was happy I was in her life. My thoughts are not fact. I can get through this. ”[40] X Research source Give it time. You may think that suicide will make your problems just “go away. ” Unfortunately, you’ll never get the chance to see whether things get better if you take that road. Healing from trauma, overcoming grief, and fighting depression all take time. Be patient and kind to yourself. [41] X Research source
