How to Stop Thinking About Suicide

In moments of deep despair, loneliness, and unbearable pain, suicide may seem like the only way out. It can be incredibly difficult to see things clearly in such times, but there are many other options available that can bring peace and help you continue living to experience joy, love, and freedom again. By staying safe, making a coping plan, and understanding why this is happening to you, you can take steps to feel more at ease once more.

Call a suicide prevention hotline. You don't have to face this struggle alone. If you're in the U.S., call 800-273-TALK for help 24/7; in the UK, dial 08457 90 90 90; and in Australia, call 13 11 14. For hotlines in other countries, visit befrienders.org, suicide.org, or the IASP website.

• If texting online feels easier for you, you can find appropriate resources in your area on this list. If you’re in the U.S., you can try visiting SuicidePreventionLifeline.org or CrisisChat.org.
• If you're in the U.S. and require telecommunications services for the hearing impaired, call 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889).
• If you're LGBTQ+, call 1-888-843-4564 or 1-866-488-7386 in the U.S.

Seek Emergency Services. If you have a suicide plan, go to the hospital or ask someone to take you there. You will receive appropriate care and stay in a safe place until you no longer have thoughts of harming yourself. Call emergency services immediately if you are at risk of suicide before you reach the hospital, or if you have already taken steps to seriously harm yourself.

Find a Friend. Never let shame, embarrassment, or fear stop you from seeking help from a friend. Call someone you trust and talk to them until you feel better. Ask them to come over and stay with you until you feel safe enough to be alone. Be clear about what you're thinking and/or planning so your friend understands the seriousness of your request.

• It might even be easier to email, write a letter, or text the person, even if you're sitting next to them.
• If the crisis lasts for a longer period, arrange for a few friends to take turns staying with you, or ask your friends to help make this arrangement for you.

Seek Professional Help. Your situation is not well and needs treatment, just like someone with a broken leg needs to see a doctor. In fact, calling a doctor is a great first step. A helpline might suggest a counselor, psychiatrist, or psychologist in your area, or you can find someone in the phone book or online.

• You can also visit this website to chat online with a professional.
• A therapist can work with you to make the coping steps below easier and help identify treatments that suit you. Or they might refer you to a psychiatrist who can prescribe medication.

Give Yourself Time. While waiting for the therapy to take effect, distract yourself for as long as possible by taking a bath, preparing a meal, or engaging in an activity that requires time. Take deep breaths and promise yourself that you won’t take your life for at least the next 48 hours, and before seeking help from a doctor. No matter how difficult it may seem, delay your plans for two days to give yourself time to rest and think things through. Right now, suicide may feel like the only option, but things can change quickly. Promise yourself at least two more days to find a better option or a reason to keep trying.

• Try to separate your emotions from your actions. The pain may be overwhelming to the point where it makes your thoughts and actions seem irrational. But thinking about suicide is not the same as actually doing it. You still have the power to decide not to end your life.

Be aware of warning signs. In a highly emotional state, you might underestimate your ability to prevent self-harm. No matter how you feel, seek help if you notice any of the following warning signs listed below. You can use the resources provided above:

• Isolation, cutting off from friends and family, feeling like you don't belong anywhere and are a burden to others
• Hating yourself, feeling hopeless
• Sudden mood changes (even positive ones), outbursts of anger, losing control of frustration, confusion, or anxiety
• Increased use of alcohol or stimulants
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep
• Talking about suicide, making plans for it, or searching for tools to carry it out
• Although self-harm isn’t the same as attempting suicide, these two actions are closely linked. Seek immediate help if you frequently engage in self-harm, such as punching walls, pulling hair, or causing skin abrasions.

Transform your home into a safe space. Easy access to dangerous items can increase the risk of suicide. Don’t make it easy for yourself to act on impulse. Secure dangerous items like medications, razors, knives, or firearms. You can give them to someone else to store, dispose of them, or lock them away somewhere out of reach.

• Limit alcohol and stimulant use. While they may offer temporary relief, they can worsen your depression and make it harder to cope.
• If you feel unsafe in your own home, go somewhere that feels secure. Stay with a friend, or visit a community center or public space that offers safety.

Share your thoughts with trusted individuals. Support groups are vital when dealing with suicidal thoughts. You need people who will listen without judgment for feeling hopeless, or offering advice that may hurt more than heal. Even well-meaning people can make you feel guilty or ashamed for wanting to end your life. Instead, spend time with those who will listen to you and care for you without judgment.

• If you don't feel comfortable sharing with anyone, consider exploring the Buddy project at this Twitter page and sign up here to find a friend.

Learn from the stories of others. Reading books, watching movies, or listening to stories from individuals who have battled suicidal thoughts can help you realize that you're not alone. These accounts can also guide you through coping methods or give you the motivation to keep going. Visit Lifeline's Real Stories or check out the Reasons to Go On Living project for inspiration and support.

Develop a safety plan to manage suicidal thoughts when they arise. This personal plan can help you stop thinking about suicide when things feel out of control. You can try filling out a coping kit template available at lifeline.org.au, or read through it to understand what you’ll need in your safety plan. Below is an example of a basic safety plan, but feel free to add your own warning signs and emergency contacts:

• 1. Call someone on my contact list. Write down at least five people, including 24/7 suicide prevention hotlines. When in crisis, I will try calling these people until I reach someone.
• 2. Delay my plan for 48 hours. Promise myself that I won’t attempt suicide before thoroughly considering other options.
• 3. Ask someone to stay with me. If no one can come, I will go somewhere that feels safe.
• 4. Go to the hospital. Either drive myself or ask someone to take me. (It’s safer not to drive myself, as I might make reckless decisions behind the wheel due to suicidal impulses. It’s better to have a trusted friend or family member take me to the hospital).
• 5. Call emergency services.

Continue with the treatment plan. A suitable treatment method can be an excellent solution for dealing with depression, even after the crisis has passed, or it may help bring about positive changes in your life. The tips provided here may assist you in getting started, but they cannot replace professional treatment from a doctor.

Consider why this is happening. Once your mind has settled and the agitation has decreased, take a moment to reflect on the reasons behind this occurrence. Has it happened before, or is this the first time? Suicidal thoughts can arise for many reasons, and it is crucial to identify the root cause so you can assess your situation objectively and take the necessary steps to stop these thoughts. - Conditions like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other psychological issues often lead to suicidal thoughts. These conditions can be treated with medication and therapy. Schedule an appointment with a specialist and begin exploring treatment options if any of these issues apply to you. - If you are a veteran or have experienced bullying, abuse, poverty, illness, failure, or unemployment, your risk of suicide may be higher. Receiving support from those in similar circumstances and who understand what you are going through is extremely important. Support groups exist for these reasons. - Certain events or circumstances can make us feel helpless, isolated, or burdened — emotions that often lead to suicidal thoughts. However, even if you cannot see it now, these feelings are temporary. Things will change, and life will improve. - If you don’t understand why you want to end your life, it is essential to work with a doctor, therapist, or counselor to figure out what is going on.

Identify triggers for your suicidal thoughts. Sometimes, suicidal thoughts are triggered by specific people, places, or experiences. Finding the exact cause is not always easy. Try to reflect and determine if there is anything that might have sparked your suicidal thoughts, and if possible, avoid these triggers in the future. Below are some examples of factors that could lead to a mental crisis: - Stimulants and alcohol. Chemicals found in stimulants and alcohol can often trigger depressive thoughts and lead to suicidal tendencies. - Abusive individuals. Spending time with people who abuse you both physically and emotionally can lead to suicidal thoughts. - Books, movies, or music that remind you of painful memories. For example, if a loved one passed away from cancer, you might want to avoid films that deal with cancer patients.

Learn how to cope if you hear voices. Some individuals hear voices urging them to act in certain ways. This situation was once considered a symptom of a mental illness that required treatment with strong medication, but recently, mental health organizations and patients themselves have suggested alternative coping methods. You might consider reaching out to the Intervoice (International Hearing Voices Project) or the Hearing Voices Network to find support groups and advice for long-term coping strategies. In the short term, these methods may help you: - Plan for times when you are likely to hear voices. Some people prefer relaxing or taking a bath, while others prefer to keep busy during these moments. - Listen to the voices selectively, focusing on any positive messages if available. - Transform negative statements into neutral ones, using the first person. For example, change 'We want you to go outside' to 'I’m thinking about going outside.'

Receive the care you need. No matter the reason behind your suicidal thoughts, taking steps to receive the necessary care is the only way to eliminate them. Having an action plan to cope immediately, along with a long-term effort to understand your emotions and change your current circumstances, can help you return to feeling at ease. If you’re unsure where to start, call 800-273-TALK and request assistance finding support resources in your area. - Developing a treatment plan is not always easy. You will need to connect with a therapist who feels right for you and offers effective methods, and you may need to try one or more therapies, which could take some time to address the issue. Don’t worry if results aren’t immediate – the important thing is to keep trying. Use your safety plan when needed and continue to strive for improvement. - For some individuals, suicidal thoughts can come and go throughout life. But you can learn to cope with these thoughts and lead a full and happy life, no matter what happens.

• Explain to your friends that suicidal thoughts cannot be erased through arguments or reasoning. In fact, some individuals might find that such discussions only intensify their negative, self-hating feelings.
• Remember, there is always tomorrow, and tomorrow is a brand new day. Suicide is not an option. Keep living your life.

• Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem