If you are considering suicide or self-harm — or are concerned about a friend or loved one — help is available.

First, remember that you do not have to face these feelings alone. Talking about your thoughts and feelings can save your life.

Crisis Prevention Programs

Medical professionals and other local and national organizations are available to offer free and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

In 2020, Congress designated the number 988 as the dialing code for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). Think of it as a 911 for mental health distress. Dialing or texting 988 or chatting online at 988Lifeline.org puts you in touch with a professional who can provide free and confidential support 24/7. Services at this number are available to anyone in the United States. The previous number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), will continue to work indefinitely.

Crisis Text Line

Text TALK to 741-741 to connect with a trained crisis specialist. The service is free and available 24/7.

The Trevor Project

If you are LGBTQIA+ and are in crisis, feeling suicidal, or just need someone to talk to, you can call 1-866-488-7386. Connect to a crisis counselor 24/7, 365 days a year, from anywhere in the U.S.

Veteran's Crisis Line

If you are a veteran in crisis or you're worried about one, the Veterans Crisis Line can provide confidential help. To speak with a qualified responder, call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Local mental health providers

If you are looking for a mental health professional or counselor to speak to in-person, you can research services in your area. These services may provide:

• Psychiatric or substance use evaluations.
• Separate treatment areas for adolescents/children and adults.
• Specially trained doctors, nurses, and clinicians.
• Connections to inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment.
• Referrals to substance abuse programs.

If you are experiencing a life-threatening situation right now, please call 911. You can also call 988.

When to Seek Help for Mental Health Emergencies

More than 45,979 Americans died by suicide in 2020. The suicide rates in the United States increased about 33% from 1999 to 2019. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and is the second leading cause of death among Americans ages 10 to 34.

Suicide warning signs may include:

• Threatening to or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself.
• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other dangerous means.
• Talking, writing, or looking up on the internet about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person or if the person has previously thought about or talked about wanting to die or suicide.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.
• Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities — seemingly without thinking.
• Feeling trapped — like there's no way out.
• Increasing alcohol or drug use.
• Withdrawing from friends, family, and society.
• Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time.
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
• Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life.
• Giving away possessions.
• Saying concerning statements such as: “I just can't take it anymore" ; “All of my problems will end soon" ; “No one can do anything to help me now."

If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health challenges that could lead to suicide, do not wait to get help. It is never too early to reach out to someone, and no problem is too small to get help. Do not hesitate to contact a crisis line or a mental health professional.

You are not alone.