 | People can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for themselves or if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. 988 serves as a universal entry point so that no matter where you live in the United States, you can reach a trained crisis counselor who can help. 988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress. That could be: Thoughts of suicide Mental health or substance use crises Emotional distress And other reasons to connect (46 seconds) |
Need for 988
Too many people are experiencing suicidal crises or mental health-related distress without the support and care they need, and sadly, the pandemic only made a bad situation worse when it comes to mental health and wellness in America.
There are urgent realities driving the need for crisis service transformation across our country.
In 2021:
The U.S. had one death by suicide about every 11 minutes
For people aged 10–14 and 25–34 years, suicide was the second-leading cause of death
Suicide rates increased significantly among non-Hispanic Black & American Indian and Alaska Native people
Nearly 900,000 youth aged 12-17 and 1.7 million adults attempted suicide
About 107,000 people died from drug overdoses
Yet, there is hope. The 988 Lifeline helps thousands of people struggling to overcome suicidal crises or mental health-related distress every day.
Suicide Prevention Month |
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.
National Suicide Prevention Week is the Monday through Sunday surrounding World Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a time to share resources and stories, as well as promote suicide prevention awareness.
World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10. It’s a time to remember those affected by suicide, to raise awareness, and to focus efforts on directing treatment to those who need it most.
Know the Risks |
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Know the Signs |
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Extreme mood swings
These signs may mean someone is at risk for suicide. Risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself. Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or buying a gun. Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live. Talking about feeling trapped or unbearable pain. Talking about being a burden to others.
What To Do If You Think a Person Is Having Suicidal Thoughts |
You cannot predict death by suicide, but you can identify people who are at increased risk for suicidal behavior, take precautions, and refer them for effective treatment.
Ask the person directly if he or she (1) is having suicidal thoughts/ideas, (2) has a plan to do so, and (3) has access to lethal means:
“Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
“Have you ever tried to hurt yourself before?”
"Do you think you might try to hurt yourself today?”
“Have you thought of ways that you might hurt yourself?”
“Do you have pills/weapons in the house?”
This won’t increase the person’s suicidal thoughts. It will give you information that indicates how strongly the person has thought about killing him- or herself.
ACT |
If you think the person might harm him- or herself, do not leave the person alone.
Say, “I’m going to get you some help.”
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Call 988. Or…
Go to SAMHSA’s Mental Health Services Locator (www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/) or Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator (http://dasis3.samhsa.gov).
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration-Printed-www.samhsa.gov
Suicide Is Preventable |
