Worried About Someone?
A Suicide Prevention Guide for Individuals, Families & Loved Ones
You do not have to be a mental health professional to notice that someone is struggling, ask a caring question, or help connect someone with support.
If you're worried about someone, it is okay to ask directly:
“Are you thinking about suicide?”
“Have you been thinking about hurting or killing yourself?”
Talking openly about suicide can give someone an opportunity to share what they are experiencing instead of carrying it alone.
Warning Signs to Take Seriously
Pay particular attention when changes are new, becoming more frequent or intense, or occurring following a significant loss, painful event, health concern, relationship change, or other major stressor.
Warning signs can include:
Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves
Expressing hopelessness or saying there is no reason to live
Saying they feel trapped or are experiencing unbearable pain
Feeling like a burden to others
Looking for or discussing ways to die
Increasing alcohol or substance use
Becoming unusually anxious, agitated, impulsive, or reckless
Sleeping significantly more or less than usual
Withdrawing or isolating from other people
Significant anger or rage
Extreme or unexpected mood changes
One warning sign does not automatically mean that someone is going to attempt suicide. However, concerning changes deserve attention—especially when several occur together.
If Someone Tells You They're Thinking About Suicide
Stay with the conversation.
You don't have to immediately solve the person's problems. Listen without judgment and take what they're telling you seriously.
You can ask:
“Are you thinking about suicide right now?”
“Have you thought about how you might do it?”
“Have you made a plan?”
“Do you have access to what you would use?”
“Do you feel like you can keep yourself safe right now?”
If you're unsure what to do next, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline yourself for guidance about helping someone else.
Help Make the Environment Safer
When someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reducing immediate access to potentially lethal means can create important time and distance between a suicidal crisis and the ability to act on it.
Depending on the circumstances, this may involve collaboratively securing or temporarily transferring access to firearms, medications, or other potentially lethal means.
Whenever possible, involve the person rather than treating safety as something being done to them.
Know When More Help Is Needed
Seek immediate crisis or emergency assistance when someone has imminent suicidal intent, cannot maintain their own safety, has engaged in a suicide attempt, or the situation otherwise represents an immediate life-threatening emergency.
In the United States:
Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for an immediate life-threatening emergency.
You can also contact 988 when you are worried about someone else and need help deciding what to do.
You Don't Have to Have the Perfect Words
Sometimes the most helpful thing you can say is:
“I'm glad you told me.”
“I'm here with you.”
“You don't have to figure this out alone.”
“Let's figure out what support you need right now.”
Suicide prevention begins with connection—and sometimes that connection begins with simply being willing to ask.
What can make the conversation harder?
Try to avoid minimizing what the person is experiencing, debating whether they “really” want to die, reacting with shock or anger, immediately trying to solve every problem, or promising to keep suicidal thoughts secret.
Instead, remain calm, listen, take the person seriously, and focus on helping them stay connected to appropriate support.