It can be difficult to deal with thoughts of suicide.It's possible to feel suicidal if you think you want to harm yourself, think about ways to kill yourself and make a plan to do so.Keeping yourself safe, committing to life, getting social support and receiving psychological treatment can help you cope with days when you feel suicidal.If you have a plan to harm yourself or take your life, you need to get help now.You can call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline if you are in the U.S.International listings for suicide hotlines can be found at http://www.suicide.org/.
Step 1: It's a good idea to get somewhere safe.
It is important to know what to do when you have suicidal thoughts.The risk of acting on suicidal thoughts can be reduced by being in a safe place.You can go to places such as a friend's home, or your therapist office.The safety plan cards can be used to remind you where to go.Call your local emergency number if you can't get somewhere safe.
Step 2: Remove items that are harmful.
It is more difficult to resist self-destructive behaviors if you have easy access to potentially harmful items.Remove weapons from your home.If you use the medications to harm yourself, remove them.
Step 3: If you need assistance, go to someone.
Depression can be caused by feeling disconnected or alone.It is possible to reduce thoughts and actions related to suicide if you increase your sense of connection.You can call specific family members, friends, healthcare professionals, emergency numbers and suicide hotlines if you first identify them.Go down the list and call each person.If you are currently safe and not planning on harming yourself, try your close family members friends.Taking you to the hospital, talking with you about your feelings, comforting you, and cheering you up are some ways others can help you.Social support can reduce suicidal thoughts and actions.Anything you can do to get support from your family during this time is safe.Be around people who support and love you, talk to a friend, and spend time with your family.If you feel like you don't have anyone to talk to, call a service such as the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.People who feel vulnerable can be helped by these people.It's often the case that people of the same sex don't have a strong support system.If you don't feel like you have anyone to turn to, you can go online to chat with a professional.
Step 4: Reduce the number of events.
Triggers can be thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or situations that make you feel out of control.Learning to cope if you have suicidal thoughts is a step in the right direction.Stress is a good indicator of suicidal thoughts.When you are stressed or overwhelmed, ask yourself if you have suicidal thoughts.Avoid situations that may increase your thoughts of suicide.Arguments or issues with family members, staying home alone, stress, depressed mood, relationship issues, work or school issues and financial concerns are some examples.If you can, avoid any of them.
Step 5: There are skills that work for you.
When you have thoughts of harming yourself, it's a good idea to use appropriate skills.Think about what helped in the past and find the best ways to cope.Try to make yourself calm and soothed.Some ideas include: exercise, talking to a friend, journaling, distraction, relaxation techniques, and meditation.Then use those skills.A large protective factor against suicide has been shown to be religious and spiritual skills.Don't use alcohol or other substances to deal with it.Substances can increase your risk of suicidal thoughts and tendencies.
Step 6: Talk to yourself in a positive way.
Dealing with thoughts of suicide involves self-talk.You can change your mood through your thoughts.When you have thoughts of self- harm in the future, identify some things you can say to yourself.What would you say to a friend?You could say, "I know this is hard for you right now, but things will get better; you aren't always going to feel or think this way."It's going to pass.In the meantime, I will be here for you.Some examples of positive self-talk you can use include, "I have many reasons to live."I want to be with my family and friends.I have plans for the future and things to accomplish that I haven't yet, but thinking that suicide is immoral or wrong can make you feel guilty for thinking about it.If you believe that suicide is morally wrong, you should tell yourself that you are not a bad person for feeling suicidal."I know I have moral beliefs against suicide, but it's not my fault I feel like killing myself," you could say.I will take a break and learn to deal with my thoughts and feelings in ways that don't hurt me.A protective factor against suicidal thoughts and actions is the belief that you have social support.Remember that you are loved and cared for."I am loved," you could say to yourself.My family loves me.My friends love me.I know that they do, even if I think they don't.They don't want me to get hurt and they would be very upset if I got hurt.
Step 7: If you want to reduce suicidality, commit to it.
It is important to reduce your thoughts of suicide and self-destructive behaviors despite your negative feelings.This goal can help you cope with stress if you are committed to staying alive.Making a commitment to reducing suicidal thoughts may include agreeing to: use positive self-talk, identify goals and stick to them, remind yourself of the positive, and identify other ways of cope with negative thoughts and moods.To life, you can write down your commitments.You could write, "I commit to living my life even when it is hard."I will set goals and achieve them.If I have thoughts of harming myself, I will get help.
Step 8: Stick to the goals if you identify them.
One way to safeguard against thoughts of suicide is to have goals in life.When you have thoughts of harming yourself, you can remind yourself of the goals that give you something to live for.Getting married, having children, and traveling the world are some life goals.Take the time to remember your goals for the future.If you didn't get to see the amazing parts of life, it would be a shame.
Step 9: Take a look at the positive aspects of your life.
One way to deal with thoughts of suicide is to acknowledge the good things in your life.This can change your suicidal thoughts and make you want to live.You can make a list of what you value in your life.There are things on this list that could include: family, friends, Italian food, traveling, being in nature, connecting with others, playing the guitar, and music.When you have thoughts of suicide, these are the things that can bring you solace.What do you enjoy doing?Which gives you the most satisfaction?Do you like to cook, help your friends, or play with your dog?What would you be doing the whole day if you weren't pressured?Spend more time doing things if you think carefully about it.
Step 10: Get psychological treatment.
Therapy or other psychological treatment is needed if you have recurrent thoughts of harming yourself.As a crucial support to you, therapists are trained to deal with suicidal thoughts.If you don't currently have a therapist, contact your health insurance provider for a list of approved clinicians or conduct a local search for low-cost, sliding scale, or free mental health clinics.
Step 11: A healthy support system is maintained or developed.
Social support is needed to deal with suicidal thoughts.Depression and thoughts of suicide can be caused by not having social support.You can turn to your family or other loved ones if you need to.Your therapist can help you build a support network for yourself if you don't feel like you have anyone.Talk about your thoughts with people who are comfortable with it.If you don't feel like you have anyone to talk to, call a service such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.If you need help, tell others about your safety plan so they can help you.Being insulted, berated, picked on, or injured should not be included in healthy relationships.Get help if your relationship is abusive.A healthy support system includes a variety of people, including friends, family, teachers, counselors, doctors, mental health professionals, and hotlines.
Step 12: Consider taking medication.
Depression can be treated with medication, which can often coincide with thoughts of suicide.Taking antidepressants and other drugs can increase your risk of suicidal thoughts and actions.Discuss side effects with your doctor before taking any medication.Ask your mental health professional about drugs to treat suicidal thoughts.If you don't have a doctor or a psychiatrist, you can go to a low-cost health clinic.