My loved one is having suicidal thoughts. What can I do?

If you are concerned that your loved one is in danger of hurting themselves, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, where trained crisis workers are available 24/7 to guide you through options to help your loved one with their thoughts of suicide. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can also provide information on local resources, including treatment. 

To reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for veterans, select "1"
To reach Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio (Spanish) select "2"
Lifeline Options for Deaf + Hard of Hearing for TTY Users: use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988. You may also text 988, or chat with 988 at 988Lifeline.org
LGBTQ Youth & Young Adults: 
The Trevor Lifeline provides 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ youth & young adults ages 13–24. Call (866) 488-7386 or text "START" to 678-678 to reach the Trevor Lifeline.
The Crisis Text Line provides a free, confidential texting service that is available 24/7 in the United States. They can be reached by texting HOME to 741741.

If your loved one is in danger of hurting themselves and unable to stay safe, another option is to seek help at the nearest emergency room. Psychiatric urgent care facilities and emergency psychiatric clinics are also available in some communities.

Mobile Crisis Units (MCUs), also called Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Teams, are a mental health emergency service offered by many (but not all) counties across the nation to provide on-scene evaluation, treatment and crisis intervention in the community. An MCU will work collaboratively with the individual to assess their needs and identify the least restrictive treatment options. MCUs are also authorized to facilitate involuntary hospitalization and treatment when necessary. For information about the availability of mobile crisis services in your area or when it’s appropriate to call, contact 211.

You may wish to consult the  Risk of Suicide page on NAMI’s website that discusses how to help when a loved one shows signs of suicidal thoughts.  Also, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers helpful guidance on how to help When Someone is at Risk.

Speaking of Suicide.com is a website for individuals and their loved ones and survivors that provides extensive information on resources for help.  In particular, the website provides extensive information in its Friends and Family section on how to talk with and help someone who is having suicidal thoughts.

Additional resources that may be of help:

Know the Signs offers an interactive tool to help loved ones recognize the signs of suicidal ideation, along with a helpful guide for talking to someone about suicide.
Now Matters now is an online resource that can help people learn skills for coping with suicidal thoughts and make a plan to stay safe. The website includes many Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)-based coping skills and free online courses for families and friends of those experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Hours of operation Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST

Call: 800-950-NAMI (6264)

Text: 62640

Webchat: www.nami.org/help

Email: helpline@nami.org