Feeling Suicidal
Feeling like you want to end your life can be terrifying and isolating. Even though it seems unbearable right now, there are ways to get support and cope with these feelings safely.
No matter how heavy things feel right now, you don’t have to face it alone. There are people who want to listen and help you through this.
Many people experience suicidal thoughts at some point. Having these thoughts doesn’t mean you’re weak, broken, or “crazy.” It simply means your pain feels too heavy to manage right now. With support and time, this pain can ease, and the thoughts of suicide can pass.
Even some of the most talented, admired, and essential people have faced the same thoughts and feelings you’re experiencing now.
Many people have thought about ending their lives when depression feels overwhelming and hopeless. The good news is that depression can be treated, and hope can return.
No matter your situation, there are people who care about you, places where you can make a difference, and experiences that can remind you that life is worth living.
It takes real courage to step back from the brink, and you can use that same courage to face life, learn coping skills, and find strength to keep going. Remember:
Your absence would deeply affect friends and loved ones.
There are still many things you can accomplish in your life.
Life offers sights, sounds, and experiences that can delight and lift you—and you would miss them.
Emotions are not fixed—they change. How you feel today may be different tomorrow.
Even small steps forward matter—you are making progress every day.
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Why do I feel suicidal?
Many types of emotional pain can make you feel like suicide is the only option. The reasons behind these feelings are unique to each person, and everyone copes differently.
While we all experience pain in different ways, there are some common situations that can lead to suicidal thoughts.
Why suicide can feel like the only option
When it feels like suicide is your only choice, it doesn’t mean other solutions don’t exist. Right now, your pain may be so intense that it’s hard to see other ways forward. This can make it difficult to find solutions or to connect with people who can support you.
Therapists, counselors, friends, or loved ones can help you see solutions that might not be clear in the moment. Please give them a chance to help you through this.
A suicidal crisis is almost always temporary
Even though your pain might feel endless right now, most crises are temporary. Feelings change, solutions can appear, and unexpected positive experiences happen. Remember: suicide is a permanent response to a temporary problem. Give yourself time for things to shift and for the intensity of the pain to lessen.
Solutions to seemingly hopeless situations
Mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder can be treated with therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Most people who seek help are able to improve their situation and recover.
Even if you’ve tried treatment before or attempted to solve your problems, it’s often necessary to explore different approaches to find what works for you. For example, medication may require careful adjustment to find the right dosage. Don’t give up—virtually all challenges can be treated or managed successfully.
Reaching out for help
Even if it feels impossible right now, there are people who genuinely want to help you through this. Reach out—do it today. If you gave yourself 24 hours or a week in step #1 above, use that time to let someone know how you’re feeling. Speak with someone who will listen without judging, arguing, or telling you to just “snap out of it.” Find a person who will simply be there and hear you.
Talking about thoughts
Even when you’ve chosen someone you trust, talking about suicidal thoughts can feel scary or overwhelming. It’s normal to feel unsure or afraid about opening up, but sharing what’s going on inside you is the first step toward feeling safer and finding support.
Be honest about what you’re feeling and thinking. If you have a plan for suicide, share it clearly with someone you trust. Saying things like “I can’t take it anymore” or “I’m done” can be too vague—help them understand the seriousness of what’s going on. If talking feels too hard, try writing it down in a note, email, or text, and be with them while they read it.
What if you don’t feel understood?
If the first person you reach out to doesn’t understand, don’t give up. Tell someone else or contact a suicide crisis helpline. Keep looking for someone who can truly hear and support you.
It doesn’t matter who it is, as long as it’s someone you trust—someone who will listen with compassion, understanding, and without judgment.
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Immediate Action
If you’re feeling suicidal at this moment, please follow these five steps:
