Some individuals may respond with judgment, or tell you to “just deal with” your suicidal urges. If someone says this to you, ignore the advice, and find a different person to confide in.
If you’re a teen, you might feel like you should tell a peer, but friends of your age may not be able to effectively handle the situation. Talk to a trusted adult instead.
If you live in the U. S. , call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. If you can’t call a hotline on the phone for whatever reason, search for online crisis hotlines or text messaging services.
If the person says “no,” or doesn’t seem interested in helping you, reach out to someone else.
Also tell the person if you have a specific plan for how you might commit suicide. You might be afraid of upsetting your confidante, but understand that if you do take your life, this person and many others will be far more upset.
If the person who you confide in reacts with surprise or dismay, say something like, “I understand that this is a lot for you to deal with all at once. If you need to take time to process this information, I understand. But, I’d like to be able to still talk to you about this issue in the future. ”
Say something like, “If this is too much for you to handle alone and you need to tell someone else, I’ll understand. ” Or say, “If you want to tell a counselor or therapist that I’m suicidal, that’s okay with me. ”
For example, write your parents a letter that begins with a couple sentences like, “Mom and Dad, I have a serious issue I want to tell you about, but I can’t bring myself to say it out loud. I often think about killing myself, and am worried that I may act on these thoughts. ”
Avoid spending time alone if you’re having suicidal thoughts. No matter the time of day or night, if you’re thinking of ending your own life, spend time around others until the suicidal thoughts subside. [10] X Research source Be sure to confirm beforehand with your friends and family members that they’re willing to be called when you’re suicidal.
Keep in mind that therapy is not a “quick fix” for suicidal thoughts. It can take months or years to fully work through these thoughts and to stop thinking about suicide. Suicidal thoughts can also be the result of another condition or a medication you are taking, so be sure to give your therapist or psychiatrist a thorough overview of your situation.
Parents and family members. Your therapist or counselor. Members of your church or other religious organization. A support group for people dealing with suicidal thoughts.
