Fact: Almost everyone who attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Don’t ignore even indirect references to death or suicide. Statements like “You’ll be sorry when I’m gone,” “I can’t see any way out,”—no matter how casually or jokingly said—may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

Fact: Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They are upset, grief-stricken, depressed, or despairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.

Fact: Even a very severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, fluctuating between wanting to live and wanting to die. Rather than wanting death, they just want the pain to stop—and the impulse to end their life does not last forever.

Fact: Many people try to get help before attempting suicide. In fact, studies indicate that more than 50 percent of suicide victims had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.

Fact: You don’t give someone suicidal ideas by talking about suicide. Rather, the opposite is true. Talking openly and honestly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can help save a life.

Warning signs of suicide

Take any suicidal talk or behavior seriously. It’s not just a warning sign that the person is thinking about suicide—it’s a cry for help.

Most suicidal individuals give warning signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognize these warning signs and know how to respond if you spot them. If you believe that a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in suicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives, showing that you care, and getting a doctor or psychologist involved.

Major warning signs for suicide include talking about killing or harming oneself, talking or writing a lot about death or dying, and seeking out things that could be used in a suicide attempt, such as weapons and drugs. These signals are even more dangerous if the person has a mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder, suffers from alcohol dependence, has previously attempted suicide, or has a family history of suicide.

A more subtle, but equally dangerous, warning sign of suicide is hopelessness. Studies have found that hopelessness is a strong predictor of suicide. People who feel hopeless may talk about “unbearable” feelings, predict a bleak future, and state that they have nothing to look forward to.

Other warning signs that point to a suicidal mind frame include dramatic mood swings or sudden personality changes, such as switching from outgoing to withdrawn or from well-behaved to rebellious. A suicidal person may also lose interest in day-to-day activities, neglect their appearance, or show big changes in their eating or sleeping habits.

Suicide warning signs include:

Talking about suicide – Any talk about suicide, dying, or self-harm, such as “I wish I hadn’t been born,” “If I see you again…” and “I’d be better off dead.”

Seeking out lethal means – Seeking access to guns, pills, knives, or other objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.

Preoccupation with death – Unusual focus on death, dying, or violence. Writing poems or stories about death.

No hope for the future – Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and being trapped (“There’s no way out”). Belief that things will never get better or change.

Self-loathing, self-hatred – Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, shame, and self-hatred. Feeling like a burden (“Everyone would be better off without me”).

Getting affairs in order – Making out a will. Giving away prized possessions. Making arrangements for family members.

Saying goodbye – Unusual or unexpected visits or calls to family and friends. Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again.

Withdrawing from others – Withdrawing from friends and family. Increasing social isolation. Desire to be left alone.

Sudden sense of calm – A sudden sense of calm and happiness after being extremely depressed can mean that the person has made a decision to attempt suicide.

Suicide prevention tip 1: Speak up if you’re worried

If you spot the warning signs of suicide in someone you care about, you may wonder if it’s a good idea to say anything. What if you’re wrong? What if the person gets angry? In such situations, it’s natural to feel uncomfortable or afraid. But anyone who talks about suicide or shows other warning signs needs immediate help—the sooner the better.

Talking to a friend or family member about their suicidal thoughts and feelings can be extremely difficult for anyone. But if you’re unsure whether someone is suicidal, the best way to find out is to ask. You can’t make a person suicidal by showing that you care. In fact, giving a suicidal person the opportunity to express their feelings can provide relief from loneliness and pent-up negative feelings, and may prevent a suicide attempt.

Ways to start a conversation about suicide:

“I have been feeling concerned about you lately.”

“Recently, I’ve noticed some differences in you and wondered how you are doing.”

“I wanted to check in with you because you haven’t seemed yourself lately.”

Questions you can ask:

“When did you begin feeling like this?”

“Did something happen to make you start feeling this way?”

“How can I best support you right now?”

“Have you thought about getting help?”

What you can say that helps:

“You are not alone in this. I’m here for you.”

“You may not believe it now, but the way you’re feeling will change.”

“I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help.”

“When you want to give up, tell yourself you will hold off for just one more day, hour, minute—whatever you can manage.”

When talking to a suicidal person

Do:

Be yourself. Let the person know you care, that they are not alone. Finding the right words are not nearly as important as showing your concern.

Listen. Let your friend or loved one vent and unload their feelings. No matter how negative the conversation seems, the fact that it is taking place is a positive sign.

Be sympathetic and non-judgmental. The suicidal person is doing the right thing by talking about their feelings, no matter how difficult it may be to hear.

Offer hope. Reassure your loved one that help is available and that the suicidal feelings are temporary. Let the person know that their life is important to you.

Take the person seriously. If a suicidal person says things like, “I’m so depressed, I can’t go on,” ask if they’re having thoughts of suicide. You’re allowing them to share their pain with you, not putting ideas in their head.

But don’t:

Argue with the suicidal person. Avoid saying things like: “You have so much to live for,” “Your suicide will hurt your family,” or “Just snap out of it.”

Act shocked, lecture on the value of life, or argue that suicide is wrong.

Promise confidentiality or be sworn to secrecy. A life is at stake and you may need to speak to a mental health professional in order to keep the suicidal person safe. If you promise to keep your discussions secret, you may have to break your word.

Offer ways to fix your loved one’s problems, give advice, or make them feel like they have to justify their suicidal feelings. It is not about how bad the problem is, but how badly it’s hurting your friend or loved one.

Blame yourself. You can’t “fix” someone else’s depression. Your friend or loved one’s happiness, or lack thereof, is not your responsibility.

Tip 2: Respond quickly in a crisis

If a friend or family member tells you that they’re thinking about death or suicide, it’s important to evaluate the immediate danger the person is in. Those at the highest risk for committing suicide in the near future have a specific suicide PLAN, the MEANS to carry out the plan, a TIME SET for doing it, and an INTENTION to do it.

The following questions can help you assess the immediate risk for suicide:

If a suicide attempt seems imminent, call a local crisis center, phone your country’s emergency services number (911 in the U.S.), or take the person to an emergency room. Remove guns, drugs, knives, and other potentially lethal objects from the vicinity but do not, under any circumstances, leave a suicidal person alone.

Tip 3: Offer help and support

If a friend or family member is suicidal, the best way to help is by offering an empathetic, listening ear. Let your loved one know that they’re not alone and that you care. Don’t take responsibility, however, for healing your loved one. You can offer support, but you can’t make a suicidal person get better. They have to make a personal commitment to recovery.

It takes a lot of courage to help someone who is suicidal. Witnessing a loved one dealing with thoughts about ending their own life can stir up many difficult emotions. As you’re helping a suicidal person, don’t forget to take care of yourself. Find someone that you trust—a friend, family member, clergyman, or counselor—to talk to about your feelings and get support of your own.

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To help a suicidal person:

Get professional help. Do everything in your power to get a suicidal person the help they need. Call a crisis line for advice and referrals. Encourage the person to see a mental health professional, help locate a treatment facility, or take them to a doctor’s appointment.

Follow-up on treatment. If the doctor prescribes medication, make sure your friend or loved one takes it as directed. Be aware of possible side effects and be sure to notify the physician if the person seems to be getting worse. It often takes time and persistence to find the medication or therapy that’s right for a particular person.

Be proactive. Those contemplating suicide often don’t believe they can be helped, so you may have to be more proactive at offering assistance. Saying, “Call me if you need anything” is too vague. Don’t wait for the person to call you or even to return your calls. Drop by, call again, invite the person out.

Encourage positive lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, plenty of sleep, and getting out in the sun or into nature for at least 30 minutes each day. Exercise is also extremely important as it releases endorphins, relieves stress, and promotes emotional well-being.

Make a safety plan. Help the person develop a set of steps they promise to follow during a suicidal crisis. It should identify any triggers that may lead to a suicidal crisis, such as an anniversary of a loss, alcohol, or stress from relationships. Also include contact numbers for the person’s doctor or therapist, as well as friends and family members who will help in an emergency.

Remove potential means of suicide, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If the person is likely to take an overdose, keep medications locked away or give them out only as the person needs them.

Continue your support over the long haul. Even after the immediate suicidal crisis has passed, stay in touch with the person, periodically checking in or dropping by. Your support is vital to ensure your friend or loved one remains on the recovery track.

Risk factors for suicide

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at least 90 percent of all people who die by suicide suffer from one or more mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or alcoholism.

Depression in particular plays a large role in suicide. The difficulty that suicidal people have imagining a solution to their suffering is due in part to the distorted thinking caused by depression.

Common suicide risk factors include:

Antidepressants and suicide

For some, depression medication causes an increase—rather than a decrease—in depression and suicidal thoughts and feelings. Because of this risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises that anyone taking antidepressants should be watched for increases in suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Monitoring is especially important if this is the person’s first time on depression medication or if the dose has recently been changed. The risk of suicide is the greatest during the first two months of antidepressant treatment.

Suicide in teens and older adults

In addition to the general risk factors for suicide, both teenagers and older adults are at a higher risk of suicide.

Suicide in teens

Teenage suicide is a serious and growing problem. The teenage years can be emotionally turbulent and stressful. Teenagers face pressures to succeed and fit in. They may struggle with self-esteem issues, self-doubt, and feelings of alienation. For some, this leads to suicide.

Depression is also a major risk factor for teen suicide.

Other risk factors for teenage suicide include:

Warning signs in teens

Additional warning signs that a teen may be considering suicide:

Suicide in the elderly

The highest suicide rates of any age group occur among persons aged 65 years and older. One contributing factor is depression in the elderly that is undiagnosed and untreated.

Other risk factors for suicide in the elderly include:

Warning signs in older adults

Additional warning signs that an elderly person may be contemplating suicide:

Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson, and Robert Segal, M.A.

Last updated: October 2021

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Depressive Disorders. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm04

Stone, Deborah M. “Vital Signs: Trends in State Suicide Rates — United States, 1999–2016 and Circumstances Contributing to Suicide — 27 States, 2015.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 67 (2018). https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6722a1.htm

Curtin, Sally C. “Increase in Suicide in the United States, 1999–2014,” no. 241 (2016): 8. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db241.pdf

McHugh, Catherine M., Amy Corderoy, Christopher James Ryan, Ian B. Hickie, and Matthew Michael Large. “Association between Suicidal Ideation and Suicide: Meta-Analyses of Odds Ratios, Sensitivity, Specificity and Positive Predictive Value.” BJPsych Open 5, no. 2 (January 31, 2019): e18. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2018.88

Rudd, M. David, Craig J. Bryan, Evelyn G. Wertenberger, Alan L. Peterson, Stacey Young-McCaughan, Jim Mintz, Sean R. Williams, et al. “Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Effects on Post-Treatment Suicide Attempts in a Military Sample: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial With 2-Year Follow-Up.” American Journal of Psychiatry 172, no. 5 (May 1, 2015): 441–49. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14070843

Stanley, Barbara, Gonzalo Martínez-Alés, Ilana Gratch, Mina Rizk, Hanga Galfalvy, Tse-Hwei Choo, and J. John Mann. “Coping Strategies That Reduce Suicidal Ideation: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.” Journal of Psychiatric Research 133 (January 1, 2021): 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.012

Simon, Gregory E, Carolyn M Rutter, Do Peterson, Malia Oliver, Ursula Whiteside, Belinda Operskalski, and Evette J Ludman. “Do PHQ Depression Questionnaires Completed During Outpatient Visits Predict Subsequent Suicide Attempt or Suicide Death?” Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.) 64, no. 12 (December 1, 2013): 1195–1202. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201200587

McCauley, Elizabeth, Michele S. Berk, Joan R. Asarnow, Molly Adrian, Judith Cohen, Kathyrn Korslund, Claudia Avina, et al. “Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents at High Risk for Suicide: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA Psychiatry 75, no. 8 (August 1, 2018): 777. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.1109

Fox, Kathryn R., Xieyining Huang, Eleonora M. Guzmán, Kensie M. Funsch, Christine B. Cha, Jessica D. Ribeiro, and Joseph C. Franklin. “Interventions for Suicide and Self-Injury: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials across Nearly 50 Years of Research.” Psychological Bulletin 146, no. 12 (December 2020): 1117–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000305

Bryan, Craig J., Jonathan E. Butner, Alexis M. May, Kelsi F. Rugo, Julia A. Harris, D. Nicolas Oakey, David C. Rozek, and AnnaBelle O. Bryan. “Nonlinear Change Processes and the Emergence of Suicidal Behavior: A Conceptual Model Based on the Fluid Vulnerability Theory of Suicide.” New Ideas in Psychology 57 (April 1, 2020): 100758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2019.100758

Get more help

Understanding Suicidal Thinking – Preventing suicide attempts and offering help. (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)

Mental Health Conditions and Suicide – How managing mental health can help reduce suicide risk. (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

Frequently Asked Questions About Suicide – Answers to common questions about suicide, including how to help. (National Institute of Mental Health)

Risk of Suicide – Warning signs, risk factors, and how to approach a suicide-crisis. (NAMI)

What Can I Do to Help Someone Who May be Suicidal? – Warning signs of suicidal thoughts and ways to prevent suicide attempts. (Metanoia.org)

Handling a Call From a Suicidal Person – Tips on what to say to a friend or family member who is suicidal. (Metanoia.org)

Suicide crisis lines

In the U.S.:

The Trevor Project offers suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth at 1-866-488-7386.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline offers referrals for substance abuse and mental health treatment at 1-800-662-4357.

In other countries:

UK and Ireland: Call Samaritans UK at 116 123.

Australia: Call Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14.

Canada: Call Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566.

Elsewhere: Find a helpline near you at Befrienders Worldwide, IASP, or International Suicide Hotlines.

How to Stop Suicidal Thoughts through Spiritual Science

Through the path of Akram Vignan, a spiritual science, you will be completely released from the symptoms of severe depression, thoughts of suicide, and more importantly, from the burden of worldly life forever. You will become liberated by the attainment of the knowledge of the Self (Atma Gnan). This is a process called Self Realization.

The Soul is free from all worldly association. It is an independent entity which is inherently in a state full of infinite bliss. The happiness you derive from your Pure Soul (Shuddha Atma) will be nothing like what you have experienced before. It is impossible for anyone to comprehend this feeling by word. You need to experience it. This happiness is not dependent on people or circumstances and will be experienced continuously and permanently. It will never be followed by sorrow or unhappiness.

As your understanding of the Soul develops, you will become stronger. You will have the understanding of ‘Who is suffering from depression?’, ‘Why is he/she leaning towards suicidal tendencies?’, ‘How to stop suicidal thoughts’ and ‘What is the depth of his/her pain?’ But you, as the pure Soul, will remain detached and unaffected by what happens to the body and the ego. You will see and know what the body and ego are doing, seeing, thinking and experiencing.

This science focuses on the right understanding, which over time, results in right conduct. This Science is precise, very easy to understand, and immensely relevant to the current times.

‘Peace is the nature of the mind and bliss is the nature of the Soul!’ – Dada Bhagwan

Worldly happiness is dependent on many factors, like relationships, mental stability, physical well-being and external influences. It is these factors that cause you suffering.

For example, when you love someone so much, you have expectations for them, like they should love you just as much. But when these expectations are not met, won’t you be hurt? Will you not suffer because of it? Therefore, worldly life is full of ups and downs. You can never be certain when things will turn bad.

Akram Vignan will free you from all the worldly pain which you suffer internally – anger, pride, greed, deceit, attachment and abhorrence. Also, it will liberate you from people with whom you have bound a relationship which is difficult and complicated. In fact, this science will release you forever.

With the application of this science, coping with suicidal thoughts becomes easier. You may think that this sounds too good to be true, but it works! Many people have experienced liberation from their worldly bondage, some in the most severe of circumstances. You can too!

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Are You Feeling Suicidal?

If you’re thinking about suicide, your pain may seem overwhelming and permanent. But there are ways to cope with suicidal thoughts and feelings and overcome the pain.

If you’re having suicidal thoughts

No matter how much pain you’re experiencing right now, you’re not alone. Many of us have had suicidal thoughts at some point in our lives. Feeling suicidal is not a character defect, and it doesn’t mean that you are crazy, or weak, or flawed. It only means that you have more pain than you can cope with right now. But with time and support, you can overcome your problems and the pain and suicidal feelings will pass.

Some of the finest, most admired, needed, and talented people have been where you are now. Many of us have thought about taking our own lives when we’ve felt overwhelmed by depression and devoid of all hope. But the pain of depression can be treated and hope can be renewed.

No matter what your situation, there are people who need you, places where you can make a difference, and experiences that can remind you that life is worth living. It takes real courage to face death and step back from the brink. You can use that courage to face life, to learn coping skills for overcoming depression, and for finding the strength to keep going. Remember:

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Why do I feel suicidal?

Many kinds of emotional pain can lead to thoughts of suicide. The reasons for this pain are unique to each one of us, and the ability to cope with the pain differs from person to person. We are all different. There are, however, some common causes that may lead us to experience suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Why suicide can seem like the only option

If you are unable to think of solutions other than suicide, it is not that other solutions don’t exist, but rather that you are currently unable to see them. The intense emotional pain that you’re experiencing right now can distort your thinking so it becomes harder to see possible solutions to problems—or to connect with those who can offer support.

Therapists, counselors, friends, or loved ones can help you to see solutions that otherwise may not be apparent to you. Please give them a chance to help.

A suicidal crisis is almost always temporary

Although it might seem as if your pain and unhappiness will never end, it is important to realize that crises are usually temporary. Solutions are often found, feelings change, unexpected positive events occur. Remember: suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Give yourself the time necessary for things to change and the pain to subside.

Even problems that seem hopeless have solutions

Mental health conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are all treatable with changes in lifestyle, therapy, and medication. Most people who seek help can improve their situation and recover.

Even if you have received treatment for a disorder before, or if you’ve already made attempts to solve your problems, know that it’s often necessary to try different approaches before finding the right solution or combination of solutions. When medication is prescribed, for example, finding the right dosage often requires an ongoing process of adjustment. Don’t give up before you’ve found the solution that works for you. Virtually all problems can be treated or resolved.

Take these immediate actions

If you’re feeling suicidal at this moment, please follow these five steps:

Step #1: Promise not to do anything right now

Even though you’re in a lot of pain right now, give yourself some distance between thoughts and action. Make a promise to yourself: “I will wait 24 hours and won’t do anything drastic during that time.” Or, wait a week.

Thoughts and actions are two different things—your suicidal thoughts do not have to become a reality. There is no deadline, no one’s pushing you to act on these thoughts immediately. Wait. Wait and put some distance between your suicidal thoughts and suicidal action.

Step #2: Avoid drugs and alcohol

Suicidal thoughts can become even stronger if you have taken drugs or alcohol. It is important to not use nonprescription drugs or alcohol when you feel hopeless or are thinking about suicide.

Step #3: Make your home safe

Remove things you could use to hurt yourself, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If you are unable to do so, go to a place where you can feel safe. If you are thinking of taking an overdose, give your medicines to someone who can return them to you one day at a time as you need them.

Step #4: Don’t keep these suicidal feelings to yourself

Many of us have found that the first step to coping with suicidal thoughts and feelings is to share them with someone we trust. It may be a family member, friend, therapist, member of the clergy, teacher, family doctor, coach, or an experienced counselor at the end of a helpline.

Find someone you trust and let them know how bad things are. Don’t let fear, shame, or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. And if the first person you reach out to doesn’t seem to understand, try someone else. Just talking about how you got to this point in your life can release a lot of the pressure that’s building up and help you find a way to cope.

Step #5: Take hope – people DO get through this

Even people who feel as badly as you are feeling now manage to survive these feelings. Take hope in this. There is a very good chance that you are going to live through these feelings, no matter how much self-loathing, hopelessness, or isolation you are currently experiencing. Just give yourself the time needed and don’t try to go it alone.

Reaching out for help

Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, there are many people who want to support you during this difficult time. Reach out to someone. Do it now. If you promised yourself 24 hours or a week in step #1 above, use that time to tell someone what’s going on with you. Talk to someone who won’t try to argue about how you feel, judge you, or tell you to just “snap out of it.” Find someone who will simply listen and be there for you.

It doesn’t matter who it is, as long as it’s someone you trust and who is likely to listen with compassion and acceptance.

How to talk to someone about your suicidal thoughts

Even when you’ve decided who you can trust to talk to, admitting your suicidal thoughts to another person can be difficult.

What if you don’t feel understood?

If the first person you reached out to doesn’t seem to understand, tell someone else or call a suicide crisis helpline. Don’t let a bad experience stop you from finding someone who can help.

If you don’t know who to turn to:

In the U.S. – Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or IMAlive at 1-800-784-2433.

In the UK and Ireland – Call Samaritans UK at 116 123

In Australia – Call Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14

In other countries – Visit IASP or Suicide.org to find a helpline in your country.

How to cope with suicidal thoughts

Remember that while it may seem as if these suicidal thoughts and feelings will never end, this is never a permanent condition. You WILL feel better again. In the meantime, there are some ways to help cope with your suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Recovering from suicidal thoughts

Even if your suicidal thoughts and feelings have subsided, get help for yourself. Experiencing that sort of emotional pain is itself a traumatizing experience. Finding a support group or therapist can be very helpful in decreasing the chances that you will feel suicidal again in the future.

You can get help and referrals from your doctor or from the crisis lines listed below.

Suicide crisis lines in the U.S.:

The Trevor Project offers suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth at 1-866-488-7386.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline offers referrals for substance abuse and mental health treatment at 1-800-662-4357.

Suicide crisis lines worldwide:

In the UK and Ireland: Call Samaritans UK at 116 123.

In Australia: Call Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14.

In Canada: Call Crisis Services Canada at 1-833-456-4566.

In other countries: Find a helpline near you at Befrienders Worldwide, IASP, or International Suicide Hotlines.

Authors: Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D., Lawrence Robinson, and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.

Last updated: October 2021

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Depressive Disorders. In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.dsm04

Stone, Deborah M. “Vital Signs: Trends in State Suicide Rates — United States, 1999–2016 and Circumstances Contributing to Suicide — 27 States, 2015.” MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 67 (2018). https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6722a1.htm

Curtin, Sally C. “Increase in Suicide in the United States, 1999–2014,” no. 241 (2016): 8. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db241.pdf

McHugh, Catherine M., Amy Corderoy, Christopher James Ryan, Ian B. Hickie, and Matthew Michael Large. “Association between Suicidal Ideation and Suicide: Meta-Analyses of Odds Ratios, Sensitivity, Specificity and Positive Predictive Value.” BJPsych Open 5, no. 2 (January 31, 2019): e18. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2018.88

Rudd, M. David, Craig J. Bryan, Evelyn G. Wertenberger, Alan L. Peterson, Stacey Young-McCaughan, Jim Mintz, Sean R. Williams, et al. “Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Effects on Post-Treatment Suicide Attempts in a Military Sample: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial With 2-Year Follow-Up.” American Journal of Psychiatry 172, no. 5 (May 1, 2015): 441–49. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14070843

Stanley, Barbara, Gonzalo Martínez-Alés, Ilana Gratch, Mina Rizk, Hanga Galfalvy, Tse-Hwei Choo, and J. John Mann. “Coping Strategies That Reduce Suicidal Ideation: An Ecological Momentary Assessment Study.” Journal of Psychiatric Research 133 (January 1, 2021): 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.12.012

Simon, Gregory E, Carolyn M Rutter, Do Peterson, Malia Oliver, Ursula Whiteside, Belinda Operskalski, and Evette J Ludman. “Do PHQ Depression Questionnaires Completed During Outpatient Visits Predict Subsequent Suicide Attempt or Suicide Death?” Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.) 64, no. 12 (December 1, 2013): 1195–1202. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201200587

McCauley, Elizabeth, Michele S. Berk, Joan R. Asarnow, Molly Adrian, Judith Cohen, Kathyrn Korslund, Claudia Avina, et al. “Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents at High Risk for Suicide: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA Psychiatry 75, no. 8 (August 1, 2018): 777. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.1109

Fox, Kathryn R., Xieyining Huang, Eleonora M. Guzmán, Kensie M. Funsch, Christine B. Cha, Jessica D. Ribeiro, and Joseph C. Franklin. “Interventions for Suicide and Self-Injury: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials across Nearly 50 Years of Research.” Psychological Bulletin 146, no. 12 (December 2020): 1117–45. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000305

Bryan, Craig J., Jonathan E. Butner, Alexis M. May, Kelsi F. Rugo, Julia A. Harris, D. Nicolas Oakey, David C. Rozek, and AnnaBelle O. Bryan. “Nonlinear Change Processes and the Emergence of Suicidal Behavior: A Conceptual Model Based on the Fluid Vulnerability Theory of Suicide.” New Ideas in Psychology 57 (April 1, 2020): 100758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2019.100758

Get more help

If you are thinking about suicide, read this first – Tips for getting you through when you’re feeling suicidal. (Metanoia.org)

Suicide information – Information for those considering suicide or have attempted suicide in the past. (NHS)

Coping with Suicidal Thoughts (PDF) – How to understand your suicidal feelings and how to develop a safety plan. (Consortium for Organizational Mental Health)

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