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Talk to Someone Now

If you’re thinking about suicide, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 across the United States. It is free, confidential and available to everyone.

Call: 988 and press 1 for the Military Crisis Line.

Take the Steps to Put Your Safety First

  • Give yourself distance between thoughts and action.
    Even though you may be feeling overwhelming hopelessness, allow yourself time to decompress from the emotional pain and seek support instead.
  • Avoid using drugs and alcohol.
    Using illegal or prescription drugs or alcohol can affect your ability to think clearly and contribute to feelings of depression and hopelessness.
  • Make your home safe.
    Remove lethal means like knives, guns, or medications from your space, and turn them over to a loved one or trusted friend.
  • Don’t keep these thoughts to yourself.
    If you are in pain and need someone to talk to call 988 to speak to a crisis worker now.
  • You can also use the online Lifeline Crisis Chat. Chat Now

Make a Long-Term Safety Plan

If you struggle with suicidal thoughts, a personal safety plan will help you identify your warning signs, coping strategies, and who to reach out to for support during a crisis when you don’t have the time or clear thinking to figure things out. Keep your plan easily accessible in case you have thoughts of hurting yourself .

  • Recognize your personal warning signs: What thoughts, images, moods, situations, and behaviors indicate to you that a crisis may be developing? Write these down in your own words.
  • Use your own coping strategies: List things that you can do on your own to help you not act on urges to harm yourself.
  • Socialize with others who may offer support as well as distraction from the crisis: List people and social settings that may help take your mind off difficult thoughts or feelings.
  • Contact Family members or friends who may help to resolve a crisis: Make a list of people who are supportive and who you feel you can talk to when under stress.
  • Contact mental health professionals or agencies: Make a list of names, numbers and/or locations of clinicians, local emergency rooms, and crisis hotlines. Add the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, 988, to your phone.
  • Ensure your environment is safe: Have you thought of ways in which you might harm yourself? Work with a counselor to develop a plan to limit your access to these means.