Suicide Prevention

Suicide, taking your own life, is a tragic reaction to stressful life situations. Fortunately, suicide can be prevented.

Understand suicide warning signs so if you or someone you know are considering suicide, you can reach out for immediate help and professional treatment. Get help from a doctor or the emergency room, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Suicide is the tenth most common cause of death in the United States. People may consider suicide when they are hopeless and cannot see any other solution to their problems. Often, suicidal thoughts are related to serious depression, alcohol or substance abuse, or a major stressful event.

White men have the highest risk of suicide, but women and teens report more suicide attempts.

Suicide is a serious public health problem that can have lasting harmful effects on individuals, families, and communities. Its causes are complex and determined by multiple factors, but the goal of suicide prevention is simple: reduce factors that increase risk and increase factors that promote resilience. Ideally, suicide prevention addresses all levels of influence: individual, relationship, community, and societal.

Therapy and medicines can help most people who have suicidal thoughts. Treating mental illnesses and substance abuse can reduce the risk of suicide. It may seem like there's no way to solve your problems and that suicide is the only way to end the pain. But you can take steps to stay safe — and start enjoying your life again.

Suicidal thoughts have many causes. Often, suicidal thoughts are the result of feeling like you cannot cope when you are faced with what seems to be an overwhelming life situation. If you do not have hope for the future, you may mistakenly think suicide is a solution.

There also may be a genetic link to suicide. People who complete suicide or who have suicidal thoughts or behavior are more likely to have a family history of suicide.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) right away, or call 911 for an immediate emergency. Help is available 24/7, and reaching out is a sign of strength.