Suicide, taking your own life, is a tragic reaction to stressful life situations —
and all the more tragic because suicide can be prevented. Whether you're
considering suicide or know someone who feels suicidal, learn suicide
warning signs and how to reach out for immediate help and professional
treatment. You may save a life — your own or someone else's.
It may seem like there's no way to solve your problems and that suicide is the
only way to end the pain. But you can take steps to stay safe — and start
enjoying your life again.
Suicide warning signs or suicidal thoughts include:
Talking about suicide — for example, making statements such as "I'm
going to kill myself," "I wish I were dead" or "I wish I hadn't been born"
Getting the means to take your own life, such as buying a gun or
stockpiling pills
Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply
discouraged the next
Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence
Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
Doing risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving
recklessly
Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there's no other
logical explanation for doing this
Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again
Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated,
particularly when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above
Warning signs aren't always obvious, and they may vary from person to
person. Some people make their intentions clear, while others keep suicidal
thoughts and feelings secret.
When to see a doctor
If you're feeling suicidal, but you aren't immediately thinking of hurting
yourself:
Reach out to a close friend or loved one — even though it may be hard to
talk about your feelings
Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community
Call a suicide hotline
Make an appointment with your doctor, other health care provider or a
mental health professional
Suicidal thinking doesn't get better on its own — so get help.
Request an appointment
Causes
Suicidal thoughts have many causes. Most often, suicidal thoughts are the
result of feeling like you can't cope when you're faced with what seems to be
an overwhelming life situation. If you don't have hope for the future, you may
mistakenly think suicide is a solution. You may experience a sort of tunnel
vision, where in the middle of a crisis you believe suicide is the only way out.
There also may be a genetic link to suicide. People who complete suicide or
who have suicidal thoughts or behavior are more likely to have a family history
of suicide.
Risk factors
Although attempted suicide is more frequent for women, men are more likely
than women to complete suicide because they typically use more-lethal
methods, such as a firearm.
You may be at risk of suicide if you:
Attempted suicide before
Feel hopeless, worthless, agitated, socially isolated or lonely
Experience a stressful life event, such as the loss of a loved one, military
service, a breakup, or financial or legal problems
Have a substance abuse problem — alcohol and drug abuse can worsen
thoughts of suicide and make you feel reckless or impulsive enough to
act on your thoughts
Have suicidal thoughts and have access to firearms in your home
Have an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as major depression, post-
traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder
Have a family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, suicide, or
violence, including physical or sexual abuse
Have a medical condition that can be linked to depression and suicidal
thinking, such as chronic disease, chronic pain or terminal illness
Are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender with an unsupportive family or
in a hostile environment
