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When to seek medical advice
By Mayo Clinic staffIt's perfectly normal to occasionally feel sad, upset or unhappy with situations in your life. But if these feelings are intense, linger for weeks, months or even years, or leave you thinking about suicide or harming yourself or someone else, seek medical help as soon as possible. Suicidal thinking usually doesn't get better on its own, and it may lead you to take drastic steps to cope with your pain.
If you don't feel at immediate risk of acting on feelings of suicide or self-harm, contact your primary care doctor or other health care provider or mental health provider. If you're reluctant to seek treatment, try to work up the courage to confide in someone else about your feelings, whether it's a friend or loved one, a health care professional, a faith leader, or someone else you trust. They can help you take the first steps to successful treatment.
If you're considering suicide or self-harm now and have the means available, reach out to someone immediately for help. The best choice is to call 911 or your local emergency services number. If you simply don't want to do that, for whatever reason, you have other choices for reaching out to someone to stay safe:
- Contact a family member or friend
- Contact a doctor, mental health provider or other health care professional
- Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community
- Go to your local hospital emergency room
- Call a crisis center or hot line
Helping a loved one with suicidal thoughts
If you have a loved one you think may be considering suicide, have an open and honest discussion about your concerns. You may not be able to force someone to seek professional care, but you can offer encouragement and support. You can also help your loved one find a qualified doctor or mental health provider and make an appointment. You may even be able to go to an appointment with him or her.
If you have a loved one who has harmed himself or herself, or is seriously considering doing so, take him or her to the hospital or call for emergency help.
