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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment of suicidal thoughts and behavior depends on your specific situation, including your level of suicide risk.
Emergency situations
If you're in a crisis or emergency situation, the first goal is to keep you safe from harming yourself. You will first have a psychiatric evaluation. Psychiatric hospitalization may be recommended if:
- You've made a near-lethal or violent suicide attempt
- You're in a psychotic state
- You lack a strong support system that could help keep you safe
- You're acting impulsively or recklessly
- You have strong or persistent urges to take your life
While in the hospital, you'll receive necessary medical care. You'll also receive treatment for any mental health disorders you may have, such as depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This treatment may include medications, psychotherapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Nonemergency situations
If you have suicidal thoughts but aren't in a crisis situation, your care may be able to take place on an outpatient basis. This treatment may include:
- Psychotherapy. In psychotherapy, also called counseling or talk therapy, you explore the issues that make you feel suicidal. You and your therapist can work together to develop treatment plans and goals. If you were already in therapy, you and your mental health provider may meet more frequently until your thoughts of suicide are better managed.
- Medications. Antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, anti-anxiety medications and other medications for mental illness can help reduce symptoms, which can help you feel less suicidal.
- Addiction treatment. Alcohol and substance abuse can worsen thoughts of suicide and make you feel impulsive enough to act on your thoughts. Treatment for drug or alcohol addiction can include detoxification, addiction treatment programs and self-help group meetings.
- Family support and education. Your loved ones can be both a source of support and conflict. Involving them in treatment can help them understand what you're going through, give them better coping skills, and improve family communication and relationships.
