Suicide

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. The effects of suicide go beyond the person who acts to take his or her life. It can also have a lasting effect on family, friends, and communities.

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

National Institute of Mental Health

Prevention and Risk Factors

• #BeThere to Help Prevent Suicide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• 5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain National Institute of Mental Health
• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Settings for Suicide Prevention University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
• Suicide Prevention National Institute of Mental Health
• Suicide Prevention Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Suicide Prevention Information Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• Warning Signs of Suicide National Institute of Mental Health

Start Here

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• A Journey toward Health and Hope: Your Handbook for Recovery after a Suicide Attempt Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• 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
• After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Yourself After Your Treatment in the Emergency Department Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Are You Thinking about Suicide? How to Stay Safe and Find Treatment Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Frequently Asked Questions about Suicide National Institute of Mental Health
• Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Teenagers

• About Teen Suicide (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• How Can I Get Help in a Crisis? Nemours Foundation
• My Friend Is Talking about Suicide Nemours Foundation
• Talking About 13 Reasons Why & Teen Suicide: Tips for Parents American Academy of Pediatrics
• Teen Suicide American Academy of Family Physicians
• Teen Suicide: Understanding the Risk and Getting Help National Institutes of Health
• Teens Homeless with Families More Likely to Self-Harm, Consider and Attempt Suicide than Youth with Homes American Academy of Pediatrics

Children

• Antidepressants for Children and Teens Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• How to Talk to a Preschool Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family Department of Veterans Affairs
• How to Talk to a School Age Child about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family Department of Veterans Affairs
• How to Talk to a Teenager about a Suicide Attempt in Your Family Department of Veterans Affairs
• Ten Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide American Academy of Pediatrics

Statistics and Research

• CDC Vital Signs: Suicide Rising Across the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Facts about Suicide Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior among Adults: Results from the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Youths Treated for Non-Suicidal Self Harm at Increased Risk of Suicide Within a Year American Academy of Pediatrics

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Suicidal Ideation National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Suicide National Institutes of Health

Related Issues

• End of Life: Suicide Grief Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Specifics

• Fact or Fiction: Suicides Increase during the Holiday Season and Winter Months Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Suicide and PTSD National Center for PTSD

Find an Expert

• Find Your Local NAMI NAMI
• FindTreatment.gov Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health
• Psychologist Locator American Psychological Association

Older Adults

• Preventing Suicide in Older Adults Mental Health America

Journal Articles

• Suicide

Diagnosis and Tests

• Screening for Suicide Risk in Adolescents, Adults, and Older Adults in Primary Care U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
• Suicide Risk Screening National Library of Medicine
• Suicide Warning Signs Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Suicide: What to Do When Someone Is Suicidal Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Encyclopedia

• Suicide and suicidal behavior Medical Encyclopedia