How to Cope With Suicidal Thoughts: What to Do Right Now and What Comes Next

If you're having suicidal thoughts, you may be carrying pain that feels impossible to explain, and depression can make that pain feel permanent. Learning how to cope with suicidal thoughts starts with one goal: getting through the next few minutes safely, then getting support for what's underneath. You don't have to figure this out alone, and you don't have to wait until things feel unbearable to ask for help.

If you're in crisis right now: call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, free and available 24/7. Call 911 if you're in immediate danger, or text HOME to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. More options are on our crisis resources page.

Key takeaways

• Suicidal thoughts are a reason to reach out for support, even if you don't think you'll act on them.
• If you're in immediate danger, call 911, go to the nearest emergency department, or call or text 988.
• Telling one trusted person what's happening, and putting distance between yourself and anything you could use to hurt yourself, can help keep you safer.
• A written safety plan gives you something concrete to follow when thinking clearly is hard.
• Depression is treatable, and treating it is an important part of feeling better.

If you're having suicidal thoughts right now

Start with one question: are you safe right now?

If you're not sure, don't try to work through it alone. Call or text 988, or use the 988 online chat. A trained crisis specialist will listen and help you figure out what support you need next. If you've already hurt yourself or feel you can't stay safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Get another person near you

It can help to have someone physically with you. You might say:

"I'm having a really hard time and I'm worried about being alone right now. Can you stay with me?"

Tell someone what's happening

Depression pulls people toward isolation, which makes reaching out even more important. Pick one person you trust and be direct: "I've been having thoughts about suicide, and I need some support."

The National Institute of Mental Health's five action steps include asking directly about suicide, staying with the person, helping keep them safe, helping them connect with support, and following up. Talking openly about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts or behavior.

Make your space safer

When you're overwhelmed, creating distance from medications or other items you could use to hurt yourself can buy you time. Ask someone you trust to hold onto them, leave a place that doesn't feel safe, or go somewhere you won't be alone. Reducing access to these items is one of the prevention steps in NIMH's guidance.

Focus on the next ten minutes

You don't need to solve the next year right now. Focus only on the next ten minutes: calling 988, sitting with someone you trust, stepping outside with another person, or staying somewhere you feel safe. These steps aren't treatment, but they create space to take the next helpful step.

How to cope with suicidal thoughts when depression is part of the picture

When you're hurting this much, advice like "think positive" can fall flat. Depression can make a painful situation feel permanent and loneliness feel like proof that nobody cares. That doesn't mean your situation is hopeless. It means you're in pain, and pain can be treated.

Depression is a mental health condition that can affect your sleep, energy, focus, motivation, relationships and ability to enjoy things. It can also bring thoughts about death, suicide or self-harm. These thoughts are a symptom, not a character flaw, and they're a signal to get care.

Create a safety plan

A safety plan is a written list of what you'll do if suicidal thoughts get stronger. It doesn't replace professional care, but it gives you a clear path to follow when your mind feels foggy or overwhelmed. SAMHSA's safety plan guidance covers the core pieces.

Your plan might include:

• Warning signs: What tells you you're heading into a hard place?
• Coping steps: What helps you get through the next few minutes?
• People to contact: Who can you call, text or sit with?
• Professional support: Which psychiatric provider or other clinician can you reach?
• Crisis resources: 988, your nearest emergency department, or other resources your care team suggests.
• A safer space: What can you put farther away or ask someone else to hold?

A psychiatrist or another qualified mental health professional can help you build your plan. Keep a copy somewhere easy to find.

Treat the depression, too

Getting through an immediate crisis comes first. Once you're safe, it's important to address what's driving the thoughts.

Depression has effective treatment options. For many people, depression has a biological side, and medication management can be an important part of care. A psychiatric evaluation can also look for medical factors, such as issues that show up on lab work, and help shape a plan that fits you. Our guide to depression treatment in Chicago explains what that care can look like.

If you're already taking medication, talk with your prescriber before starting, stopping or changing anything. Let them know about the thoughts you're having, too, since that helps them adjust your care.

What if the thoughts keep coming back?

Recurring thoughts deserve attention, even when you don't believe you'll act on them. You might think, "I would never actually do anything." That's important information, but it doesn't mean the thoughts should be ignored.

NIMH recommends getting help when warning signs of suicide appear, especially when they're new or getting stronger. Tell your psychiatric provider, primary care doctor or another trusted professional what you're experiencing, and be honest, even when it's uncomfortable.

What if you're worried about someone else?

If you're concerned about someone, ask directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?" Then listen, stay with them if you can, help them connect with support, and follow up. Our article on suicide warning signs explains what to watch for and how to respond.

Getting help is not overreacting

One of the hardest parts of depression is believing your pain isn't serious enough to deserve help. It is.

You don't have to prove you're "sick enough" or explain your feelings perfectly before reaching out. Coping isn't about one perfect technique. It's about getting through the moment safely, then getting care for what's underneath.

Frequently asked questions

Can depression cause suicidal thoughts?

Yes. Suicidal thoughts can happen with depression and may get stronger when you're feeling hopeless, isolated or exhausted. Having these thoughts is a reason to get professional support, even if you don't think you'll act on them.

When should I call 988?

You can call or text 988 any time you're having suicidal thoughts, emotional distress or a mental health crisis. You don't need to be sure you'll hurt yourself to reach out. If you're in immediate danger or have already hurt yourself, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

What should I do if someone I love is having suicidal thoughts?

Take them seriously and ask directly whether they're thinking about suicide. Stay with them when you can, help make their space safer, and help them connect with professional or crisis support. Asking about suicide does not increase their risk.

Can medication help with suicidal thoughts and depression?

Treating the underlying depression can help, and medication is one option a psychiatric provider may discuss with you. A provider can also help you build a safety plan and decide what level of care fits your needs. Always talk with your prescriber before starting, stopping or changing any medication.

You don't have to carry this alone

If you're safe right now but struggling, reaching out for ongoing care is a strong next step. At Musec Medical, our psychiatrist and psychiatric physician assistants offer psychiatric evaluations and medication management in person in Chicago and by telehealth anywhere in Illinois. Request your first appointment when you're ready. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 first.