Suicide and Mental Health Awareness
Suicide is when a person ends their own life. It’s a serious mental health issue that affects individuals, families, and communities. Learning about suicide helps us understand the warning signs, offer mental health interventions and support to those in need, and reduce stigma. It’s important to talk about suicide and mental health awareness with honesty and care so that more people feel safe asking for help.
Suicide Explained
Suicide is the intentional act of ending one’s own life. It’s a harrowing and complex issue that is often misunderstood. More than 700,000 people around the world die by suicide each year. It is the third leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 29 [1].
While it’s easy to think that suicide is only about wanting to die, that’s not always the case. Many people who think about suicide are not trying to escape life itself; the goal is to escape intense emotional or mental pain [2]. The person may feel hopeless, overwhelmed, ashamed, or stuck in a seemingly impossible-to-resolve situation. Some describe it as carrying a heavy weight or being trapped in darkness with no light ahead. These feelings can come from depression or anxiety, trauma or abuse, bullying, substance use, or other personal issues.
Suicide doesn’t have a single cause, and it doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or life situation.
Reasons People Think About Suicide
There isn’t a straightforward reason why someone thinks about suicide. Often, it’s a combination of personal, emotional, social, and biological factors.
Feeling Overwhelmed
Life can feel overwhelming at times, and the weight can feel all-consuming. Academic stress, family problems, social pressure, or a sense of not belonging can make it hard to cope with even the simplest daily responsibilities.
Hopelessness and Despair
Many people who have suicidal thoughts feel like things will never get better. It may seem like no one understands, or that reaching out for help will lead to judgment without any possibility of meaningful and positive change.
Escaping Pain
For some, suicide feels like the only way to escape unbearable emotional or physical pain. It may not be a desire to die, but rather a desperate wish to end suffering [2].
Bullying and Discrimination
Bullying and discrimination based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability can cause deep emotional distress and lead to suicidal thoughts [1].
Trauma and Abuse
Experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or going through events like the death of a loved one or surviving a disaster, can lead to suicidal thoughts [3]. Sometimes the emotional pain feels unbearable.
Regardless of the reason for suicidal thoughts, it’s important to remember: considering suicide is a sign of emotional pain, not weakness or selfishness. Most people considering suicide do not truly want life to end; it’s about stopping the pain.
Risk Factors for Suicide
While suicide can affect anyone, and there are many reasons a person might consider this devastating act, some people are at higher risk. Recognizing factors that may increase the risk of suicide can lead to timely support.
Mental Health
Suicide and mental health awareness are intertwined. Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can distort thinking, cloud judgment, and intensify mental anguish. About 46% of people who die by suicide had a known mental health condition [4].
Serious Medical Conditions
Living with chronic illness or a life-limiting diagnosis can cause helplessness, isolation, and a reduced quality of life. People with cancer, neurological disorders, or chronic pain may consider suicide to escape suffering, even without a diagnosed mental illness [5].
Past Attempts
A person who has previously attempted suicide is more likely to die by suicide than someone without previous attempts [6]. Continued support and treatment after any attempt to take one’s life are essential.
Family History and Genetics
A family history of suicide or mental illness can slightly increase risk, but genetics alone does not cause suicide [7].
Ethnicity and Other Factors
Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native people have the highest rates of suicide. Young people identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are also at increased risk compared to heterosexual youth [3].
Risk factors do not guarantee that a person will think about suicide, but the presence of these factors can increase vulnerability. Heeding warning signs, offering support, and encouraging professional help may make a life-saving difference. Compassion and connection often matter more than perfection.
Warning Signs of Suicide
Sometimes, people show warning signs when thinking about suicide. At other times, the signs may be harder to recognize or not appear at all. Still, being aware of common warning signals can help reduce the risk and possibly save a life. This is especially true if a person presents with one or more risk factors. Some important signals to watch for include:
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Making statements or expressing wishes to disappear or go away
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Exhibiting sudden changes in mood or behavior
- Giving away personal belongings or saying goodbye
- Engaging in risky or self-destructive actions
- Sleeping too much or too little regularly
- Displaying a loss of interest in favorite activities
Warning signs of suicide should never be overlooked. Even small changes in behavior or mood can signal deep emotional pain. Reaching out for help immediately can offer safety, support, and a path toward healing.
How to Offer Support
If a person exhibits warning signs or opens up about suicidal thoughts, take it seriously. It is not necessary to have all the answers; just being there matters.
Offering support to a person who is thinking about suicide begins with listening. A calm and nonjudgmental presence helps create a safe space where thoughts and feelings can be shared openly and easily. It is important to avoid interrupting. Do not minimize the situation or try to solve the problem right away. Sometimes, being heard without pressure or criticism provides the first sense of relief.
Showing care means expressing concern and reminding the person that support is available and that emotions are valid. Encouragement to seek help from a counselor, therapist, or other mental health professional can guide the next step toward healing. If there is immediate danger, the person should not be left alone. Calling 911 or a suicide prevention hotline can ensure safety in the moment.
After a crisis, ongoing support is essential. A follow-up conversation, message, or quiet gesture of care can help the person to feel remembered and valued, even after the most intense moment has passed.
Suicide Prevention Tips
Even though suicide is a serious issue, there are ways to reduce the risk and help people feel supported and safe. The key is timely and consistent interventions and making sure the person knows that help and suicide support are always available.
Mental Health Treatment
Professional treatment plays a key role in suicide prevention. Counseling or therapy can help address the underlying thoughts, emotions, or experiences that lead to suicidal thinking. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in particular, has been shown to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors by helping a person develop healthier ways to cope with distress [8]. In some cases, medication is recommended to manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. Early and consistent treatment can make a meaningful difference.
Support Systems and Connection
Strong, caring relationships create a protective buffer against emotional pain. Support from friends, family, mentors, teachers, and faith or community groups can help build a sense of belonging. Encouraging participation in school activities, social circles, or volunteer opportunities can help a person develop connections and reduce isolation. Simply knowing that others care brings comfort during difficult times.
Safe Environments
Creating a safe environment includes removing or securing access to items that are often used in a suicide attempt, such as firearms, the most common method used in suicides [9]. This approach, called means safety, is a proven and effective way to lower suicide risk [10]. Small steps at home, in schools, or other shared spaces can support well-being and prevent tragedy.
When and How to Get Help
If thoughts or emotional distress feel overwhelming, know that suicide support is available. Speaking with a trusted friend, counselor, or health professional brings comfort and guidance. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness; it shows strength, courage, and a desire to find a way forward. Many people have been in a dark place and found relief through connection, treatment, and self-care. No one has to face this pain in silence.
The following are some trusted suicide support organizations where a person can find help:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Crisis Text Line
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The Trevor Project
It is always okay to ask for help. Everyone deserves support, compassion, and hope, especially in the most challenging moments. There is always a way forward.
Hope, Healing, and a Path Forward
Suicide is a difficult subject to talk about, but open conversations and a willingness to reach out are powerful steps toward healing. Talking about it helps reduce stigma and creates space for compassion, support, and meaningful connections. Recognizing warning signs and risk factors can help a person notice when help is needed and respond with care.
Suicidal thoughts can feel overwhelming, but are more common than many realize. This condition is also treatable. With proper support and connection, many people who experience suicidal thoughts recover and go on to lead meaningful, fulfilling lives. Hope and healing are always possible, even after moments of deep struggle. Support is available for anyone who is struggling. No one has to face this alone. Even in the darkest moments, help is the beginning of a brighter path forward.
- World Health Organization. (2023). Suicide. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide.
- DeLisle, M., Oakey-Frost, S., & Shneidman, E. S. (2016). Mental pain and suicide: A systematic review of the literature. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 7, Article 108. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00108.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Facts about suicide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html.
- Akkas, F., & Corr, A. (2022, May 2). Mental health conditions can contribute to suicide risk. The Pew Charitable Trusts. Retrieved from https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2022/05/02/mental-health-conditions-can-contribute-to-suicide-risk.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2019). Managing chronic illness to protect against suicide risk (From Science to Practice). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Suicide Prevention Program. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/docs/FSTP-Chronic-Illness.pdf.
- Bostwick, J. M., Pabbati, C., Geske, J. R., & McKean, A. J. (2016). Suicide attempt as a risk factor for completed suicide: Even more lethal than we knew. American Journal of Psychiatry, 173(11), 1094–1100. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.16080943.
- Mayo Clinic. (2016, November 3). Q&A: Suicide and genetics — a complicated association. News Network. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-suicide-and-genetics-a-complicated-association.
- Stanley, B., Brown, G. K., Brenner, L. A., Galfalvy, H. C., Currier, G. W., Knox, K. L., Chaudhury, S. R., & Bush, A. L. (2018). Comparison of the safety planning intervention with follow-up vs usual care of suicidal patients treated in the emergency department. JAMA Psychiatry, 75(9), 894–900. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.1776.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, March). Suicide data and statistics. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html.
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2020). Means matter: Means reduction saves lives. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/.
The Clinical Affairs Team at MentalHealth.com is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience. They actively contribute to the development of content, products, and services, and meticulously review all medical material before publication to ensure accuracy and alignment with current research and conversations in mental health. For more information, please visit the Editorial Policy.
MentalHealth.com is a health technology company guiding people towards self-understanding and connection. The platform provides reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities. Its purpose is to educate, support, and empower people in their pursuit of well-being.
Christine Dayton is a professional health writer with over a decade of experience in geriatric care and wellness, mental health, end-of-life support, and bereavement care.
Dr. Shivani Kharod, Ph.D. is a medical reviewer with over 10 years of experience in delivering scientifically accurate health content.
Medical Reviewer:
The Clinical Affairs Team at MentalHealth.com is a dedicated group of medical professionals with diverse and extensive clinical experience. They actively contribute to the development of content, products, and services, and meticulously review all medical material before publication to ensure accuracy and alignment with current research and conversations in mental health. For more information, please visit the Editorial Policy.
MentalHealth.com is a health technology company guiding people towards self-understanding and connection. The platform provides reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities. Its purpose is to educate, support, and empower people in their pursuit of well-being.