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Summary
What is suicide?
Suicide is the taking of one's own life. It is a death that happens when someone harms themselves because they want to end their life. A suicide attempt is when someone harms themselves to try to end their life, but they do not die.
Suicide is a major public health problem and a leading cause of death in the United States. Both suicide and suicide attempts can have lasting harmful effects:
- People who survive a suicide attempt may have serious injuries that can affect their long-term health. They may also have depression or other mental health concerns.
- When people die by suicide, it affects their family, friends, and community. They may feel grief, shock, anger, and guilt. Some may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety. They may also be at risk for suicidal thoughts.
Who is at risk for suicide?
Suicide does not discriminate. It can touch anyone, anywhere, at any time. But there are certain factors that can contribute to the risk of suicide, including:
- Having attempted suicide before
- Depression and other mental health disorders
- Alcohol or drug use disorder
- Family history of a mental health disorder
- Family history of an alcohol or drug use disorder
- Family history of suicide
- Family violence, including intimate partner violence, child abuse, or sexual abuse
- Having guns in the home
- Being in or having recently gotten out of prison or jail
- Being exposed to others' suicidal behavior, such as a family member, peer, or celebrity
- Medical illness, including chronic pain
- Stressful life event, such as a job loss, financial problems, loss of a loved one, a breakup of a relationship, etc.
- Being between the ages of 15 and 24 years or over age 60
What are the warning signs for suicide?
The warning signs for suicide include:
- Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill oneself
- Making a plan or looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online
- Buying a gun or stockpiling pills
- Feeling empty, hopeless, trapped, or like there's no reason to live
- Being in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Using more alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing from family or friends or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
- Saying good-bye to loved ones, putting affairs in order
Some people may tell others about their suicidal thoughts. But others may try to hide them. This can make some of the signs harder to spot.
What should I do if I need help or know someone who does?
If you or someone you know has the warning signs for suicide, get help right away, especially if there is a change in behavior. If it is an emergency, dial 911. Otherwise there are five steps that you can take:
- Ask the person if they're thinking about killing themselves.
- Keep them safe. Find out whether they have a plan for suicide and keep them away from things that they can use to kill themselves.
- Be there with them. Listen carefully and find out what they are thinking and feeling.
- Help them connect to resources that can help them, such as through:
- Calling or texting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Chatting through Lifeline Chat.
- For veterans, reaching the Veterans Crisis Line by:
- Calling 988 and then pressing 1.
- Texting to 838255.
- Chatting with them.
- Stay connected. Staying in touch after a crisis can make a difference.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health
Diagnosis and Tests
- Suicide Risk Screening (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
- Suicide: What to Do When Someone Is Thinking about Suicide (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
- 5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of Suicide (National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Settings for Suicide Prevention (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center)
- Suicide Prevention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Suicide Prevention (National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
- Suicide Prevention (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish
- Suicide Prevention Information (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)
- Warning Signs of Suicide (National Institute of Mental Health) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- End of Life: Suicide Grief (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Suicide and PTSD (National Center for PTSD)
- Teen Suicide (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- Facts about Suicide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Suicidal Ideation (National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Suicide (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Telehealth Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention: A Randomized Clinical...
- Article: EMDR treatment in patients with personality disorders. Should we fear symptom...
- Article: Efficacy and Safety of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation as an Add-On...
- Suicide -- see more articles
Find an Expert
- Find Your Local NAMI (NAMI)
- FindTreatment.gov (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Also in Spanish
- National Institute of Mental Health Also in Spanish
- Psychologist Locator (American Psychological Association)
Children
- Antidepressants for Children and Teens (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Suicide Prevention: 12 Things Parents Can Do (American Academy of Pediatrics) Also in Spanish
Teenagers
- About Teen Suicide (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- How Can I Get Help in a Crisis? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- My Friend Is Talking about Suicide: What Should I Do? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Teen Suicide (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Teen Suicide: Understanding the Risk and Getting Help (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish
Older Adults
- Preventing Suicide in Older Adults (Mental Health America)
Patient Handouts
- A Journey toward Health and Hope: Your Handbook for Recovery after a Suicide Attempt (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
- After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member after Treatment in the Emergency Department (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF
- After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Yourself after Your Treatment in the Emergency Department (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF