Telling someone you are thinking about suicide can feel hard

You might be feeling overwhelmed and in pain, and in these moments it can be harder to find the words to explain how you are feeling. People often feel relief when they open up to another person. Remember there are different ways you can reach out – start with a text or email if talking on the phone or face-to-face feels too difficult.

Here are some suggestions to help you start the conversation:

  • "I’m not sure how to say this… / This isn’t easy for me to explain…"

    Let the person know this is hard for you

  • "I’ve been thinking about suicide/dying/ending my life/seriously harming myself"

    Don’t be afraid to name your thoughts of suicide. It’s OK and important to talk about suicide.

  • "I have thoughts of suicide every day/many times a day"

    Talk about how frequent your thoughts are.

  • "I can’t sleep/I feel angry all the time/I feel hopeless"

    Try to describe some of your other moods and feelings if you can.

  • "I would like to get help. Can you help me find it?"

    Tell the person what you need from them in that moment. You deserve help and it’s OK to let someone know what you need. You can also show the person the pages on this website that will tell them more about how to support someone in crisis.

Who should I speak to?

Remember you can always contact us – our lines are open 24/7. If there is someone you feel safe with, someone you trust, you could also reach out to them. It might be a friend, a loved one, a teacher, mentor, or an elder. Reach out to them in a way that feels easiest to you, whether it’s through text, online, or in-person.

If you can’t get hold of the person you are trying to reach, you didn’t feel like you got what you needed from talking to them, or you would rather not talk to anyone you know, please call or text us. We are here for you and we are waiting for your call.