Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a major public health concern. In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 45,900 people. Suicide is complicated and tragic, but it is often preventable. Knowing the warning signs for suicide and how to get help can help save lives.

Suicide is when people harm themselves with the intent of ending their life, and they die as a result.

A suicide attempt is when people harm themselves with the intent of ending their life, but they do not die.

Avoid using terms such as “committing suicide,” “successful suicide,” or “failed suicide” when referring to suicide and suicide attempts, as these terms often carry negative meanings.

Warning signs that someone may be at immediate risk for attempting suicide include:

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
• Talking about feeling empty or hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable emotional or physical pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Giving away important possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends and family
• Putting affairs in order, such as making a will
• Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
• Talking or thinking about death often

Other serious warning signs that someone may be at risk for attempting suicide include:

• Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
• Making a plan or looking for ways to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling great guilt or shame
• Using alcohol or drugs more often
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Changing eating or sleeping habits
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

Suicide is not a normal response to stress. Suicidal thoughts or actions are a sign of extreme distress and should not be ignored.. If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently.

Here are five steps you can take to #BeThe1To help someone in emotional pain:

1. ASK: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question, but studies show that asking at-risk individuals  if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
2. KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
3. BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide  may reduce rather than increase  suicidal thoughts.
4. HELP THEM CONNECT: Save the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (call or text 988) in your phone so they’re there if you need them. You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
5. STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown  the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.

People of all genders, ages, and ethnicities can be at risk. Suicidal behavior is complex, and there is no single cause. The main risk factors for suicide are:

• Depression, other mental disorders, or substance use disorder
• Chronic pain
• Personal history of suicide attempts
• Family history of a mental disorder or substance use
• Family history of suicide
• Exposure to family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
• Presence of guns or other firearms in the home
• Having recently been released from prison or jail

For people with suicidal thoughts, exposure, either directly or indirectly, to others' suicidal behavior, such as that of family members, peers, or celebrities can also be a risk factor.

Most people who have risk factors will not attempt suicide, and it is difficult to tell who will act on suicidal thoughts. Although risk factors for suicide are important to keep in mind, someone who is actively showing warning signs of suicide may be at higher risk for danger and in need immediate attention.

Stressful life events (such as the loss of a loved one, legal troubles, or financial difficulties) and interpersonal stressors (such as shame, harassment, bullying, discrimination, or relationship troubles) may contribute to suicide risk, especially when they occur along with suicide risk factors.

Family and friends are often the first to recognize the warning signs of suicide, and they can take the first step toward helping a loved one find mental health treatment. See NIMH’s page with resources for finding help for mental illnesses if you're not sure where to start.

Identifying people at risk for suicide

• Universal screening: Research has shown that a three-question screening tool helps emergency room personnel identify adults at risk for suicide . Researchers found that screening all patients—regardless of the reason for their emergency room visit—doubled the number of patients identified as being at risk for suicide. The researchers estimated that suicide-risk screening tools could identify more than three million additional adults at risk for suicide each year.
• Predicting suicide risk using electronic health records: Researchers from NIMH partnered with the VA and others to develop computer programs that could help predict suicide risk among veterans receiving VA health care . Other healthcare systems are also beginning to use data from electronic health records to help identify people with suicide risk.

Effective, evidence-based interventions are available to help people who are at risk for suicide.

Brief interventions

• Safety planning: Personalized safety planning  has been shown to help reduce suicidal thoughts and actions. Patients work with a health care provider to develop a plan that describes ways to limit access to lethal means such as firearms, pills, or poisons. The plan also lists coping strategies and people and resources that can help in a crisis.
• Follow-up phone calls: Research has shown that when at-risk patients receive supportive phone calls for further risk monitoring and are encouraged to engage in safe behaviors and seek help, their suicide risk goes down .

Psychotherapies

Multiple types of psychosocial interventions have been found to help individuals who have attempted suicide (see below). These types of interventions may prevent someone from making another attempt.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people learn new ways of dealing with stressful experiences. CBT helps individuals recognize their thought patterns and consider alternative actions when thoughts of suicide arise .
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has been shown to reduce suicidal behavior in adolescents. DBT has also been shown to reduce the risk of suicide attempts in adults with borderline personality disorder , a mental illness characterized by an ongoing pattern of varying moods, self-image, and behavior that often results in impulsive actions and problems in relationships. A therapist trained in DBT can help a person recognize when their feelings or actions become overwhelming and teach the person skills that can help them cope more effectively with upsetting situations.

Medication

Some individuals at risk for suicide might benefit from medication. People can work with their health care providers to find the best medication or medication combination, as well as the right dose. Many people at risk for suicide often have a mental illness or substance use problems and may benefit from medication along with psychosocial intervention.

Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication used primarily to treat individuals with schizophrenia. To date, it is the only medication with a specific U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indication  for reducing the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

If you are prescribed a medication, be sure you:

• Talk with a health care provider to make sure you understand the risks and benefits of the medications you're taking.
• Do not stop taking a medication without talking to your health care provider first. Suddenly stopping a medication may lead to worsening of symptoms. Other uncomfortable or potentially dangerous withdrawal effects also are possible.
• Report any concerns about side effects to a health care provider right away. They can help determine whether you need a change in the dose or a different medication.
• Report serious side effects to the FDA MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program  online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088. You or your health care provider may send a report.

To find the latest information about medications, talk to a health care provider and visit the FDA website .

Collaborative care

Collaborative care is a team-based approach to mental health care. A behavioral health care manager will work with the person, their primary health care provider, and mental health specialists to develop a treatment plan. Collaborative care has been shown to be an effective way to treat depression and reduce suicidal thoughts.

NIMH supports promising research that is likely to have an impact on reducing suicide in the United States. Research is helping improve our ability to identify people at risk for suicide and develop and improve effective treatments. NIMH researchers continue to study suicide and how to best implement suicide prevention and intervention programs in different contexts, including in health care, community, school, and justice system settings.

Learn more about NIMH research priorities and recent research on suicide prevention.

Free brochures and shareable resources

• Frequently Asked Questions About Suicide: This brochure provides information about suicide including risk factors, symptoms and warning signs, treatment options and therapies, how to find help for yourself or others, and research about suicide and suicide prevention.
• Warning Signs of Suicide: This NIMH infographic presents behaviors and feelings that may be warnings signs that someone is thinking about suicide.
• 5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain: This NIMH Infographic presents five steps for helping someone in emotional pain in order to prevent suicide.
• Digital Shareables on Suicide Prevention: These digital resources from NIMH, including graphics and messages, can be used to spread the word about suicide prevention and help promote awareness and education in your community.

Federal resources

• The African American Youth Suicide: Report to Congress is a response by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that builds upon the 2019 Congressional Black Caucus report, “Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Suicide in America.” The report examines patterns of youth suicide by race and ethnicity, what is known about youth suicide decedent characteristics, information on risk and protective factors, interventions, and remaining knowledge gaps.
• The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC)  is the only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention. SPRC is funded by SAMHSA.
• The American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) National Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan is a national initiative addressing suicide prevention, based on fostering collaborations across Tribes, Tribal organizations, Urban Indian organizations, and the Indian Health Service (IHS). The IHS Suicide Prevention and Care Program site  provides resources to support suicide prevention efforts, and to help communities and individuals understand and obtain services related to suicide.
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Suicide Prevention webpage  provides resources for communities and states to support suicide prevention efforts.
• MedlinePlus  offers information about suicide from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
• National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention  is a public-private partnership working to advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
• The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Implement the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention  outlines the actions that communities and individuals can take to reduce the rates of suicide and help improve resilience.
• #BeThe1To  is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message to spread the word about actions everyone can take to prevent suicide.
• Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ) is free screening resource for medical settings (e.g., emergency departments, inpatient medical/surgical units, outpatient clinics/primary care) that can help nurses or physicians successfully identify youth at risk for suicide.

Multimedia

View more Multimedia on Suicide Prevention

Crisis hotlines

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline : The Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Support is also available via live chat at 988lifeline.org . Para ayuda en español, llame al 988.
• Disaster Distress Helpline : People affected by any disaster or tragedy can call this helpline, sponsored by SAMHSA, to receive immediate counseling. Call 1-800-985-5990 to connect with a trained professional from the closest crisis counseling center within the network.
• Veterans Crisis Line : This helpline is a free, confidential resource for veterans of all ages and circumstances. Call 988, then press 1; text 838255; or chat online  to connect with 24/7 support.

Resources for media

• Recommendations for Reporting on Suicide 
• Guidelines for Social Media 
• Guidance for the entertainment industry: National Recommendations for Depicting Suicide 

Research and statistics

Research

• Suicide Prevention in an Emergency Department Population: The ED-SAFE Study 
• For Researchers: NIMH Suicide Prevention Research
• For Researchers: The PhenX Toolkit  has 475 measures in its suicide specialty collection.

Statistics

• Statistics: Suicide: This NIMH webpage provides information on the statistics currently available about suicide rates in the U.S.
• Data and Statistics (WISQARS):  This CDC resource is an interactive, online database that provides data on fatal injuries and violent deaths.

Last Reviewed: August 2023