Suicidal thoughts are thoughts about harming yourself or taking your own life. Suicide is the act of taking your own life. Suicide can be linked to depression. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, young or old, male or female, for a variety of reasons. Suicidal thoughts usually occur when a person is in severe emotional pain and sees no way out. The things that cause this type of pain are different for each person. Suicide is often preventable.
There are multiple risk factors for suicide, including:
- Age
- Gender
- Poor physical and mental health
- A history of violence
- A family history of suicide
- Having weapons in your home
- Having recently been released from a long stay in prison or jail.
- Hanging out with other people who talk about suicide or encourage you to take your life.
- Traumatic events
Path to better well-being
Even though it may feel like the pain will never end, suicidal thoughts are often caused by a treatable health problem. This includes physical medical conditions such as depression. Depression is a serious medical condition that alters brain chemicals and affects your mood, thoughts, and emotions. It can make it difficult or impossible for you to feel happy, remember good times, or see solutions to your problems. If you’ve been treated for depression in the past, you may need to try other treatments to find one that works.
Some things you can do when you feel depressed include:
- Ask for help. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You are not alone. You may feel like your loved ones don’t care, but there are people who want to help. Tell someone what you’re going through. Call a friend or family member, your family doctor, or your church.
- Avoid things that trigger suicidal thoughts. These things are different for each person. Common triggers include being alone, drinking alcohol, and using drugs. Spend time with your family or friends every day. Make your home safe by getting rid of alcohol, drugs, and things you used or planned to use to harm yourself.
- Give it time. You don’t have to act on your suicidal thoughts. Make a promise to yourself that you will give yourself time to get help and seek treatment.
- Take care of your health and well-being. Follow your doctor’s diet and exercise advice. Get enough sleep. Learn to cope with stress. Find and do things you enjoy. If you are taking medication to treat depression, don’t skip it. Take the right amount at the right time.
- Work with a professional. It may be a psychiatrist or a therapist. Don’t be afraid to open up to this professional. You should tell them what you feel and not hide anything.
Things to consider
Warning signs of suicide include:
- Feeling trapped or desperate
- You feel like you need an escape
- Feeling unbearable physical or emotional pain
- Focusing on death, agony or violence
- Feeling like your friends and family would be better off without you
- Make a plan or look for a way to take your life.
- Feeling guilty or ashamed
- Using drugs and alcohol more frequently
- Increased anxiety
- Moving away from family and friends
- You no longer have interest in the things you used to enjoy
- Changes in eating and sleeping patterns.
- Extreme anger, rage or revenge
- Giving away things that once mattered to you
- Saying goodbye to friends and family
- Write a note, make a will or put your affairs in order
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is the difference between depression and feeling depressed?
- Do we all think about suicide at some point or another, even if it is a short-lived moment?
- Is there any medication I can take?
Resources
After a suicide attempt
Lifeguard Guide
National Institute of Mental Health: Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
How to support your loved one after a suicide attempt
Talking saves lives
