Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives. When it comes to recognizing the warning signs of those who may be contemplating suicide, there are several indicators to watch out for.
The behaviors listed below may be some of the signs that someone is thinking about suicide.
Talking about:
- Wanting to die
- Great guilt or shame
- Being a burden to others
Feeling:
- Empty, hopeless, trapped, or having no reason to live
- Extremely sad, more anxious, agitated, or full of rage
- Unbearable emotional or physical pain
Changing behavior, such as:
- Making a plan or researching ways to die
- Withdrawing from friends, saying goodbye, giving away important items, or making a will
- Taking dangerous risks such as driving extremely fast
- Displaying extreme mood swings
- Eating or sleeping more or less
- Using drugs or alcohol more often
If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently. It is crucial to use one or more of the following resources if you recognize warning signs in yourself or someone you know.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
Chat at 988lifeline.org
988 is a direct three-digit number to trained Suicide and Crisis Lifeline specialists. The service is free and available 24/7, 365 days a year via phone call, text, or chat (988lifeline.org/chat). Anyone may use 988 anywhere, and anytime you or a loved one is in emotional distress or having suicidal thoughts. Trained Lifeline specialists, who are not licensed clinicians, are available to provide free, confidential emotional support to all callers988 accessibility and services available for specific groups.
Those who are deaf or hard of hearing may use the online chat function or TTY users may use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. Find more information, visit 988 resources for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss.
Service members, veterans, and their families may reach the Veterans Crisis Line by pressing 1 after dialing 988, as well as by chatting online at veteranscrisisline.net or texting 838255
The Spanish Language Line can be reached by pressing 2 after dialing 988. Chat and text are also available in Spanish.
LGBTQ+ youth may reach the LGBTQ+ youth network by pressing 3 after dialing 988. Additional language translation services are available to all callers through telephonic interpreter services provided at the call center
Crisis Text Line
Text “HELLO” to 741741
The Trevor Project – 1-866-488-7386
The Trevor Project is a 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth. Youth can also text “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200 for support, or use the online chat feature on the Trevor Project’s website.
TrevorText is available Monday-Friday between 3-10PM. TrevorChat is available seven days a week between 3-10PM.