Are You About to Make an Attempt? Take These Steps Instead

Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:14

It is possible that you have turned to this page because you are seriously thinking of ending your life. Your pain and despair have gotten severe enough that not only have you made a plan, but you have also acquired the means to carry it out and you are planning to act soon.    

If you find yourself in this state, I urge you to take these actions:

  1. If you have a gun or other means of self-harm in your environment, remove it immediately.
  2. Please reach out to a suicide prevention counselor at the Crisis Textline by texting ”HOME” to 741741. They will respond to you promptly. See their webpage if you are outside the US or Canada.
  3. To speak to someone live, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-SUICIDE in the US.  Trained crisis counselors are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.This page provides hotlines in other countries.
  4. Ask yourself, “Have I truly exhausted ALL of my options that could help me to stay alive?”
  5. Call a friend or a family member, and let them know about your situation.
  6. If you have a therapist, call them, leaving a message if you have to, or call their emergency number.
  7. If you have created a safety plan, take it out and follow its instructions. You created it to keep you safe in a crisis like this.
  8. If you don’t have a safety plan, please do the following:
    • If you have learned some tools you can use to calm or soothe yourself in the moment, use them now.
    • Remind yourself of your reasons for living, or how your death might impact others.
  9. If after doing the above, you still feel you are in danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. If it seems too difficult to get there on your own, ask a friend or family member to take you. You could also take a ride with a cab, Uber or Lyft.

If you follow the above steps, you are likely to survive this crisis, remain alive, and give yourself another chance to overcome your suicidal pain. Hold on. Things can get better. I promise.

How Might Your Death Impact Others? »
How to Create a Safety Plan »
Should I Live or Should I Die?
National Suicide Prevention helpline:
1-800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: 741741
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The content of this website is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace diagnosis or treatment by a qualified mental health professional.