What is suicidal thoughts?

People who consider suicide often feel hopeless, helpless, and worthless. They may think that suicide will solve their problems and end their pain. They may not really want to die, but they may feel that there's no other choice.

These thoughts and feelings may come from having a mental health problem, such as depression. These problems can be treated. With treatment, your family member can feel better.

Take any talk of suicide or wanting to die or disappear seriously, even if it's said in a joking manner. Don't be afraid to talk openly with your family member about their feelings. It may not be easy to talk about suicide, but it can help the person feel supported and connected. Support and connection can help protect people from suicide.

Warning signs of suicide in adults include:

• Talking or writing about wanting to die or to hurt or kill themselves or someone else.
• Saying they feel hopeless, trapped, without purpose, in pain, or like they're a burden to others.
• Looking for ways to harm themselves. For example, they may buy a gun or stockpile medicines.
• Increasing their use of alcohol or drugs.
• Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities.
• Seeming angry, grumpy, anxious, or depressed.
• Eating or sleeping less or more than usual.
• Doing risky things, like driving too fast.
• Giving away their belongings.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

Other things you can do

• Talk to someone. Be open about your feelings. Reach out to a trusted family member or friend, your doctor, or a counselor.
• Attend all counseling sessions recommended by your doctor.
• Make a suicide safety plan. This is a set of steps you can take when you feel suicidal. It includes your warning signs, coping strategies, and people you can ask for support. It's best to work with a therapist to make your plan.
• Ask someone to remove and store any guns, pills, or other means of suicide.
• Avoid alcohol and drug use.
• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.

If you're thinking about suicide, it can help to talk to someone about your feelings. It may not be easy to reach out for help, but it's so important. We all need support from time to time, and there are people who want to help.

Consider talking with:

• A trusted family member, friend, or spiritual advisor.
• A health professional, such as your doctor or counselor.
• Other mental health resources, such as a community mental health agency or employee assistance program.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

Things that increase the chances of suicide in children and teens include:

• A previous suicide attempt.
• Depression or another mental health problem.
• Knowing someone (such as a friend, a family member, a sports figure, or a musician) who recently attempted or died by suicide.
• A disruptive or abusive family life.
• A history of sexual abuse.
• Having gone through a stressful experience, like a divorce in the family or the death of a parent.
• Having a drug or alcohol problem.
• Having access to a means of suicide, such as a gun or pills.
• A family history of suicide.
• Being LGBTQ+. Issues like bullying and discrimination can contribute to an increased risk.

Where to get help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you or someone you know talks about suicide, self-harm, a mental health crisis, a substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress, get help right away. You can:

• Call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
• Text HOME to 741741 to access the Crisis Text Line.

Consider saving these numbers in your phone.

Go to 988lifeline.org for more information or to chat online.

Other things you can do

• Check in with your family member often. Staying in touch shows that you care.
• Encourage the person to reach out to other trusted friends and family members. You might be able to help them make a schedule of people who can check on them.
• Encourage the person to go to counseling. You could offer to help them find a therapist or get to and from the sessions. You can even offer to go to the sessions if they want you to.
• Urge your family member to make a safety plan. This is a set of steps they can take when they feel suicidal. It includes their warning signs, coping strategies, and people they can ask for support. It's best if they work with a therapist to make a plan.
• Offer to remove and store any means of suicide, such as guns or pills.
• Encourage your family member to avoid alcohol and drugs. Urge them to talk to their doctor if they need help to quit. Counseling, support groups, and sometimes medicines can help them stay sober.
• Ask your family member not to take any medicines unless their doctor says to take it.