What to do with suicidal thoughts

Suicide prevention | Office on Women's Health

Are you having thoughts about hurting yourself or someone else? Get help right away. If you're in a life-threatening situation, call 911. Getting help for mental health conditions can help prevent suicide.

I’m having suicidal thoughts. What should I do?

Call 911. Suicidal thoughts are an emergency.
Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Go to the emergency room.
Tell someone who can help you find help right away.
Stay away from things that might hurt you, like guns, medicines, or dangerous places.

You can also visit our section on mental health conditions. For each condition, you’ll find a list of resources to help you find the support you need. These feelings can and will go away. Talk to a health professional. You are not alone!

What should I say if someone threatens to commit suicide?

If you know someone who is at immediate risk of suicide, call 911 right away. Someone who wants to kill herself should see a doctor, nurse, or mental health professional right away.

If you know someone who might be suicidal, show that you care by:

Talking to the person. Your willingness to talk about thoughts of suicide with a friend, family member, or co-worker can be the first step in getting her help and preventing suicide. You won’t increase the risk of someone dying by suicide by talking to her about your concerns.
Sincerely listening to the person. Do not offer advice or judgment, but let her know she is not alone. Don’t worry about saying the exact, correct thing. Your presence in the person’s life is what is most helpful.
Sharing your concerns. If you feel that she may make a reckless decision, say that you are worried. The person needs to know that she is important to you and that you care.
Finding out if the person has a suicide plan. If the person has a definite plan, don’t leave her alone, and get help from other friends or family.
Offering help to find a professional counselor. Many counselors or therapists can see a new patient in an emergency. A person’s insurance plan, doctor, or nurse may be able to recommend someone right away.
Calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

It can be difficult when a loved one says she is thinking about suicide. All you can do is be supportive and let her know you care. You cannot control or change someone else’s behavior, no matter how much you love her. If a loved one commits suicide, it is not your fault.

What are the warning signs of suicide?

People who consider suicide often feel like there is no hope. They may often feel sad, lonely, trapped, or alone. Some people who have survived suicide attempts have said that these feelings go away and do not last forever.

The main warning signs of suicide include:

Thinking or talking about suicide
Misusing substances like drugs or alcohol
Feeling no sense of purpose or belonging

Anger
Feeling trapped (feeling like there is no way out)
Hopelessness (feeling there is nothing to live for)
Withdrawal (from family, friends, work, school, activities, or hobbies)
Anxiety (restlessness, irritability, or agitation)
Recklessness (high risk-taking behavior)
Severe mood swings or highs and lows

Other warning signs of suicide include:

Looking for ways to die (e. g., internet searches for how to commit suicide; looking for guns or pills)
Talking about hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness
Thinking about death a lot
Suddenly acting happier or calmer after showing other suicide warning signs
Loss of interest in things they used to care about (e.g., hobbies, relationships, work, school)
Visiting or calling loved ones and saying goodbye, especially after a long absence
Making arrangements or putting their affairs in order
Giving things away, such as prized possessions

A suicidal person needs to see a doctor or mental health professional right away.

What puts someone at risk of suicide?

Some things that increase a woman’s risk of suicide include:

Depression and other mental health conditions or a substance use disorder. More than 9 in 10 people who die by suicide have a mental health condition or substance abuse problem.¹
A prior suicide attempt
A family history of mental disorders or substance abuse
A family history of suicide
Recent divorce or loss of a spouse or partner²
Eating disorders³
Sexual orientation. Research suggests that lesbians and bisexual women are at higher risk of suicide than heterosexual women are.⁴
Family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
Firearms in the home
Exposure to suicide by other people, including family members, friends, co-workers, or media figures
Lack of social connection⁵

Did we answer your question about suicide prevention?

For more information about suicide prevention, call the OWH Helpline at 1-800-994-9662 or check out the following resources from other organizations:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: After an Attempt — A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Department (PDF, 352 KB) — Brochure from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Older Adults and Depression — Information from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Suicide — Fact sheet from NIMH.
Suicide Myths — Information from Suicide. org.
Suicide Prevention — Information from SAMHSA.

Sources

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2008). Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention: Evidence & Implications—A White Paper. DHHS Pub. No. SMA-08-4352. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.
Vörös, V., Osváth, P., Fekete, S. (2004). [Gender differences in suicidal behavior]. Neuropsychopharmacologia Hungarica; 6(2): 65–71.
Pisetsky, E.M., Thornton, L.M., Lichtenstein, P., Pedersen, N.L., Bulik, C.M. (2013). Suicide attempts in women with eating disorders. Journal of Abnormal Psychology; 122(4): 1042–1056.
Cochran, S.D., Mays, V.M. (2015). Mortality Risks Among Persons Reporting Same-Sex Sexual Partners: Evidence From the 2008 General Social Survey-National Death Index Data Set. American Journal of Public Health; 105(2): 358–364.
Tsai, A.C., Lucas, M., Kawachi, I. (2015). Association between social integration and suicide among women in the United States. JAMA Psychiatry; 72(10): 987–993.

All material contained on these pages are free of copyright restrictions and maybe copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Page last updated: February 17, 2021

What Are Suicidal Thoughts and Do I Need Help for Them?

Sometimes we experience so much pain, loss, or numbness that we start to feel hopeless—like there is no way out of how we’re feeling. When we feel hopeless or overwhelmed, we may start to have thoughts of suicide. With the right treatment and support, you can overcome feeling suicidal.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, it is important to get professional mental health support.

There are people ready to help you at any time of day.

Text HOME to 741-741 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor any time of day.
If you feel unsafe right now, text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.org.
If this is a medical emergency or there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.

What Suicidal Thoughts Feel Like

Suicidal thoughts can range from passing thoughts about death, such as wondering what it feels like to die or thinking, “What if I just went to sleep and didn’t wake up?” to specific plans about suicide, such as thinking about how and when you might end your life. Passing thoughts of suicide can get worse if they are not addressed. If you are struggling with any of these feelings or behaviors, it is time to reach out for support:

Feeling disconnected from others or withdrawing from friends and family.
Feeling trapped in an intolerable situation.
Feeling like a burden to others or telling others they would be better off without you.
Thinking, talking, or posting online about death or violence.

Learn more warning signs of suicide.

How Do I Know If I Need Help for Suicidal Thoughts?

If you are having suicidal thoughts, it is important that you have regular mental health support through a therapist or school or campus counselor. It’s also important to know when you need to get immediate help.

If you are already having suicidal thoughts, big life changes or tragic events—such as a death in the family, ending a relationship, or getting laid off from a job—can cause those feelings to become more intense or more frequent. If you feel like your suicidal thoughts are getting worse, here are some warning signs to look out for:

Dangerous behaviors:

Driving recklessly, such as driving under the influence or without a seat belt.
Increasing drug or alcohol use.
Engaging in unsafe sex.
Starting or increasing self-injury.
Changes in diet, either restricting your eating or binge eating.
Changes in sleep patterns, either sleeping too much or too little.

Big changes in mood:

Experiencing mood swings of extreme sadness, rage, or anxiety.
Feeling increased irritability or agitation.
A sudden shift in behavior from agitated or angry to calm or even cheerful. It may seem like an improvement, but it can be a warning signal for a suicide attempt because it can indicate being “at peace” with ending life. If you start to feel this way, seek help immediately.

If you experience a loss, a sudden life change, or any of these changes in your mood or behavior, reach out for help right away. If you notice these behaviors in a friend or loved one, check in with them, tell them what you’ve noticed, and ask if they need help.

Find out How to Help Someone Who May Be Suicidal.

If you are feeling suicidal, remember that suicidal feelings can be overcome. Even if your situation feels hopeless now, there are people in your life who care about you and want you here.

You can recover from suicidal feelings with the right support. Seek help immediately if you are having suicidal thoughts, engaging in suicidal behaviors, or planning a suicide attempt. Reach out to an adult you trust—such as a parent, doctor, or counselor—and be honest with them about how you are feeling.

Text HOME to 741 741 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor.
If you feel unsafe right now, text or call 988 or use the chat function at 988lifeline.org.
If this is a medical emergency or there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.

If you feel safe right now, read more about ways to manage suicidal thoughts and find out when you need to get help for suicidal behaviors.

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Get Help Now

If you or someone you know needs to talk to someone right now, text HOME to 741-741 or call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for a free confidential conversation with a trained counselor 24/7.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, text or call 988.

If this is a medical emergency or if there is immediate danger of harm, call 911 and explain that you need support for a mental health crisis.

Get help & support for suicide

If you’re in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, find help in your area with Find a helpline.

If you believe that someone else is in danger of suicide and you have their contact information, contact your local law enforcement for immediate help. You can also encourage the person to contact a suicide prevention hotline using the information above.

Learn more about personal crisis information with Google Search.

Google’s crisis information comes from high-quality websites, partnerships, medical professionals, and search results.

Important: Partnerships vary by country and region.

Korea Suicide Prevention Center

Country	Hotline organization	Website	Phone number
Argentina	Centro de Asistencia al Suicida	www.asistenciaalsuicida.org	(011) 5275-1135
Australia	Lifeline Australia	www.lifeline.org	13 11 14
Austria	Telefon Seelsorge Osterreich	www.telefonseelsorge.at	142
Belgium	Center de Prevention du Suicide	www. preventionsuicide.be	0800 32 123
Belgium	CHS Helpline	www.chsbelgium.org	02 648 40 14
Belgium	Zelfmoord 1813	www.zelfmoord1813.be	1813
Brazil	Centro de Valorização da Vida	www.cvv.org	188
Canada	Crisis Services Canada	crisisservicescanada.ca	833-456-4566
Chile	Ministry of Health of Chile	www.hospitaldigital.gob	6003607777
China	Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center	www.crisis.org	800-810-1117
Costa Rica	Colegio de Profesionales en Psicologia de Costa Rica	psicologiacr. com/aqui-estoy	2272-3774
France	SOS Amitié	www.sos-amitie.org	09 72 39 40 50
Germany	Telefon Seelsorge Deutschland	www.telefonseelsorge.de	0800 1110111
Hong Kong	Suicide Prevention Services	www.sps.org	2382 0000
India	iCall Helpline	icallhelpline.org	9152987821
Ireland	Samaritans Ireland	www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help	116 123
Israel	[Eran] ער"ן	www.eran.org	1201
Italy	Samaritans Onlus	www.samaritansonlus.org	06 77208977
Japan	Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology	www. mext.go.jp	81-0120-0-78310
Japan	Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan	www.mhlw.go	0570-064-556
Malaysia	Befrienders KL	www.befrienders.org	03-76272929
Netherlands	113Online	www.113.nl	0800-0113
New Zealand	Lifeline Aotearoa Incorporated	www.lifeline.org	0800 543 354
Norway	Mental Helse	mentalhelse.no	116 123
Pakistan	Umang Pakistan	www.umang.com.pk/	0311-7786264
Peru	Linea 113 Salud	www.gob.pe/555-recibir-informacion-y-orientacion-en-salud	113
Philippines	Department of Health - Republic of the Philippines	doh. gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline	0966-351-4518
Portugal	SOS Voz Amiga	www.sosvozamiga.org	213 544 545 963 524 660 912 802 669
Russia	Fund to Support Children in Difficult Life Situations	www.ya-parent.ru	8-800-2000-122
Singapore	Samaritans of Singapore	www.sos.org	1-767
South Africa	South African Depression and Anxiety Group	www.sadag.org	0800 567 567
South Korea	중앙자살예방센터	www.spckorea.or	1393
Spain	Telefono de la Esperanza	www.telefonodelaesperanza. org	717 003 717
Switzerland	Die Dargebotene Hand	www.143.ch	143
Taiwan	国际生命线台湾总会 [International Lifeline Taiwan Association]	www.life1995.org	1995
Ukraine	Lifeline Ukraine	lifelineukraine.com	7333
United Kingdom	Samaritans	www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help	116 123
United States	988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline	988lifeline.org	988

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Helpline

Information about the unified all-Russian children’s helpline

0446 8-800-2000-122 .

When calling this number in any locality of the Russian Federation from fixed or mobile phones, children in difficult life situations, adolescents and their parents, other citizens can receive emergency psychological assistance, which is provided by specialists of services already operating in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation that provide services for telephone counseling and connected to a single all-Russian number of children's helpline.

Confidentiality and free of charge are the two main principles of the children's helpline. This means that every child and parent can anonymously and free of charge receive psychological assistance and the secrecy of his call to the helpline is guaranteed.

Working hours of the children's helpline in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation

(as of October 1, 2013) 38 -PIC AO

	Name of the subject of the Russian Federation 9Arkhangelsk region 09. 00-22.00
22	with Nenets Autonomous Okrug	daily 09.00-17.30
23	Vologda region	around the clock
24	Kaliningrad region	daily0039	around the clock
35	Chechen Republic 08.30-20.00
	Southern Federal District
37	Republic of Adygea
Kalmykia	PON-PIP. 8.00-17.00
3
80	Magadan region	Pon.-Pon. 10.00.22.00
81	Sakhalin Region
900
83	Chukotka AO	Mon-Fri 09.00-22.00, closed 16.00-22.00

Infographics. The principle of operation of a single federal helpline number for children, adolescents and their parents

Information from the regions about the work of the children's helpline

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