Suicidal thoughts are thoughts of harming oneself or taking one’s own life. Suicide is the act of taking one’s own life. Suicide may be related to depression. Anyone, young or old, male or female, can have suicidal thoughts for various reasons. Suicidal thoughts typically occur when a person is in intense emotional pain and sees no way out. The things that cause this type of pain are different for each person. Suicide can often be prevented.
There are multiple risk factors for suicide, including:
- Age
- Gender
- Poor physical and mental health.
- A history of violence
- A family history of suicide.
- Have weapons in your house
- Have recently been released from a long stay in prison or jail.
- Hang out with other people who talk about suicide or encourage you to take your own life.
- Traumatic events
Path to better well-being
Although it may seem 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. It changes the chemicals in your brain and affects your mood, thoughts, and emotions. Depression can make it difficult or impossible for you to feel happy, remember good times, or see solutions to your problems. If you have received treatment for depression in the past, you may need to try other treatments until you find one that works.
Some of the 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 people want to help you. Tell someone what is happening. Call a friend or family member, your family doctor, or your church.
- Avoid things that cause suicidal thoughts. These things are different for everyone. Common triggers include being alone, drinking alcohol, and using drugs. Spend time with family or friends every day. Make your home safe by getting rid of alcohol, drugs, and things you used or planned to use to hurt yourself.
- Give it time. You don’t need to act on your suicidal thoughts. Promise yourself that you will make time to ask for 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 deal with stress. Find and do things you enjoy. If you are taking medications to treat depression, do not skip them. Take the right amount at the right time.
- Work with a professional. It could be a psychiatrist or a counselor. Don’t be afraid to open up to the professional. You should tell them what you feel and not hide anything.
Things to consider
Warning signs of suicide include:
- Feeling trapped or desperate
- Feeling like you need an escape
- Feeling unbearable physical or emotional pain.
- Focus on death, dying, or violence.
- Feeling like friends and family would be better off without you
- Make a plan or find a way to kill yourself.
- Feel guilt or shame
- Consume drugs and alcohol more frequently.
- Increased anxiety
- Withdraw 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 you once cared about
- 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?
- Does everyone think about suicide at some point or another, even if it is short-lived?
- 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
Supporting your loved one after a suicide attempt
Talking saves lives
