If you are reading this because you are thinking about ending your life, you are not alone, and you do not have to get through this by yourself. Call or text 988 now. You can read the rest of this page while you wait, or come back to it later. Reaching out comes first.
Thoughts of suicide are a sign of extreme distress, as NIMH puts it, and a sign that you deserve help. They are not a character flaw, and they do not mean you are beyond help. NIMH notes that effective treatments and programs exist and can help prevent suicide.
Who to contact right now
- Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. It is free, confidential and open 24/7
- In Oakland County, call the OCHN Crisis Line at 1-888-238-0611 or Common Ground at 1-800-231-1127, both 24/7
- Text HOME to 741741 if talking out loud feels too hard
- Veterans, service members and their families can dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255
- Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have hurt yourself or feel you are about to
You do not need the right words. "I am having thoughts of suicide and I do not know what to do" is enough. If it would help to know what happens next, What Happens When You Call or Text 988 walks through it step by step. SAMHSA reports that studies have found most Lifeline callers feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed and more hopeful after talking with a counselor.
Getting through the next few hours
You do not have to solve your whole life tonight. The only job right now is getting through today. The NHS suggests a few practical steps for this moment:
- Try not to think about the future; focus only on getting through today
- Stay away from alcohol and drugs
- Get yourself to a safe place, like a friend's or relative's home
- Be around other people
- Do something you usually enjoy, such as spending time with a pet
Put distance between you and danger
NIMH notes that research shows safe storage of lethal means can help reduce suicide attempts and deaths. In plain terms: if there is anything around you that you have thought about using to hurt yourself, put time and distance between you and it. Ask someone you trust to take it away or hold onto it for now, or leave and go somewhere else. You can tell a 988 counselor exactly what you are worried about, and they can help you think this through.
Tell one person
The NHS advises telling someone, and notes that there is no right or wrong way to start. Pick one person: a partner, a friend, a sibling, your doctor or your therapist. You could say or text one of these:
- "I am not okay, and I have been having thoughts of suicide. Can you stay with me tonight?"
- "I need help and I do not know how to ask. Can you come over?"
- "Can you sit with me while I call 988?"
If you already have a therapist or doctor, tell them too, in plain words. Clinicians want to know, and it changes what they can do to help. Is Therapy Confidential in Michigan? explains what happens to what you say.
Make a safety plan when you can
NIMH reports that creating a safety plan, with specific instructions for what to do and how to get help when thoughts of suicide come up, can help reduce a person's risk of acting on them. SAMHSA's 988 safety plan is a single page with six parts:
- Three warning signs that a crisis may be developing
- Three things you can do on your own to take your mind off your problems
- People and places that provide distraction, with phone numbers
- People you can ask for help, with phone numbers
- Professionals and agencies to contact in a crisis, plus 988 and your nearest urgent care or emergency department
- A plan to make your environment safer
Fill it out with a crisis counselor, therapist, doctor or someone you trust. Keep it on your phone and on paper where you can find it quickly.
After tonight: getting ongoing care
Once the worst has passed, the next step is ongoing care. Book a visit with your doctor, or a therapist or psychiatrist, this week if you can, and tell them what happened. NIMH describes several kinds of treatment that have helped people at risk, including types of psychotherapy, and notes that staying connected and following up has been shown to lower the risk of future attempts. If you take medication for mood, talk with your prescriber before changing anything.
Many people who have felt this way go on to feel differently, though it often takes time and more than one try to find what helps. Ongoing therapy for depression can be part of that. Dr. Lehmann sees adults during daytime hours Monday through Thursday. Her practice is not a crisis service, so please use the numbers on this page if you need help now. Mental Health Crisis Help in Oakland County and Michigan lists local mobile and walk-in options.
If you are worried about someone else
Ask them directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?" NIMH says studies show that asking does not cause or increase suicidal thoughts, and it can be the best way to identify someone at risk. If they tell you they are going to end their life, do not leave them alone, and do not promise to keep it secret. Call 911 if their life is in immediate danger, or call 988 together. NIMH's warning signs include talking about wanting to die or being a burden, feeling hopeless or trapped, withdrawing from people and giving away important items, especially if the behavior is new or has increased recently.