Suicidal Thoughts

• Warning Signs of Suicide in Adults

  The following warning signs may be present in adults who have a high risk for suicide: Depression or other mental health condition, such as severe anxiety, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), or schizophrenia Depression followed by sudden cheerfulness and contentment, which may mean the...

• PTSD and Suicide Thoughts

  With post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), your symptoms can be overwhelming. You may be thinking about harming yourself, or even thinking about suicide. Sometimes people with PTSD also have depression, panic attacks, severe anxiety, or a substance use problem. This may put you at a higher risk for suicide. You...

• Warning Signs of Suicide in Older Adults

  Suicide rates increase with age and are highest among white men age 65 and older. Divorced and widowed men in this age group have the highest suicide rates, and their most common method of suicide is firearms. The following warning signs may be present in older adults who have a high risk for suicide...

• Feeling Depressed

  Covers when feelings of sadness or anxiety may indicate need for treatment for depression. Offers tips to help with depression. Explains emergency symptoms, like talk about suicide. Includes interactive tool to help you decide when to call a doctor.

• Suicidal Thoughts or Threats

  Suicide occurs almost twice as often as murder. Each year, about 36,000 people in the United States die by suicide. In the U.S.: Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people ages 15 to 24 and the second leading cause for people ages 25 to 34. Suicide rates have...

• Warning Signs of Suicide

  Take any mention of suicide seriously. If someone you know is threatening suicide, get help right away. Health professionals should try to find out whether the person: Has the means (weapons or medicines) available to do self-harm or to harm another person. Has set a time and place to attempt suicide...

• Suicide Threats: What to Do

  If the suicide threat seems real, with a specific plan and the means at hand, follow these steps: Call 911, or the police if 911 is not available. Consider your own safety. If you are in a safe environment and the person will not harm you: Stay...

• Warning Signs of Suicide in Children and Teens

  Common warning signs for suicide include: Making suicidal statements. Being preoccupied with death in conversation, writing, or drawing. Giving away belongings. Withdrawing from friends and family. Having aggressive or hostile behavior. It is extremely important that you take all...

• Depression and Suicide

  Depression is a disease. It's caused by changes in chemicals in the brain that are called neurotransmitters. Depression isn't a character flaw, and it doesn't mean you are bad or weak. It doesn't mean you are going crazy. People who are very depressed can feel so bad that they think about suicide. They may feel...

• FDA Advisories for Antidepressants

  FDA advisories. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued advisories to patients, families, and health professionals to closely monitor for warning signs of suicidal behavior in children and adults younger than 25 who take antidepressants. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when...