We are here to listen

Thoughts of suicide are a sign of pain and distress. We are here to help you find a way through your most challenging moments. Whatever you choose to share with us, we won’t judge you.

If your life is in danger, please call 911 right away or go to your nearest emergency department.

I called a few weeks back in a terrible spot and couldn’t find a way out. I can’t express how thankful I am… I have a much more positive outlook, and while I still struggle, I am doing better. I just wanted to thank you and everyone like you.

- Talk Suicide caller

Ways to feel safer in the moment

  • Recognize your thoughts of suicide or of hopelessness

  • Remember what usually works for you when you have suicidal thoughts

    This can vary from person-to-person but is usually a task that provides some temporary distraction from your thoughts or feelings. Is there a way of coping that has worked in the past? Try that now.

    Some examples include: going for a walk, listening to music, going online, taking a shower, playing with a pet, gentle movement, engaging in a hobby, reading, or doing chores.

  • Reach out to someone in your life for support

    This should be someone that you think will listen and be helpful. Get advice for how to tell someone how you are feeling.

    How to tell someone how you are feeling

  • Reach out to a professional for support, including us

    Our crisis responders can help you talk through a plan that will help you feel safe. Call 1.833.456.4566 any time – or you can text 45645 between 4 p.m. and midnight ET.

  • Make your environment safer

    If it is safe to do so, get rid of anything in your environment that could be used to harm yourself. You can also ask someone you trust to do this for you.

  • Make a safety plan

    A safety plan is a document you can use to remind yourself of ways to cope and people you can reach out to to decrease your risk of suicide. If you have made a safety plan, please follow it. If you do not have a safety plan, you can contact us for support . You can also find an example of a safety plan here:

    Example safety plan

adapted from: Labouliere CD, Stanley B, Lake AM, Gould MS. Safety Planning on Crisis Lines: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Perceived Helpfulness of a Brief Intervention to Mitigate Future Suicide Risk. Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2020 Feb;50(1):29-41. doi: 10.1111/sltb.12554. Epub 2019 May 21.

Other pages you might find useful

What to expect when you contact us

Information about what happens when you reach out to Talk Suicide.

Learn more

Tell someone how you are feeling

Advice about how to tell someone you are struggling.

Learn more

Ways to cope

More resources to help you cope if you are struggling.

Learn more