What Are Suicidal Thoughts? Causes and How To Get Help

Life can be incredibly difficult sometimes. You might be feeling overwhelmed by pain, loneliness, or a situation that seems impossible. If suicidal thoughts cross your mind, please know this: “You are absolutely not alone”.

These thoughts are more common than you might realize, and there is real help available. So, we’re here to walk you through understanding suicidal thoughts, what might be causing them, and how to find the support you need to move forward. It’s a big first step to reach out, and we want to assure you that there is hope. You are worthy of love and support, and there are people who care about you and want to help.

What is Suicide thought?

Suicidal thoughts are feelings of wanting to end your own life. They can range from fleeting wishes that the pain would stop to more specific plans and desires to take action. It’s important to remember that having these thoughts doesn’t necessarily mean you want to die, but rather that you’re struggling with intense emotional pain and see suicide as a way to escape it.

What does it feel like to be suicidal?

Experiencing suicidal thoughts can vary greatly from person to person, but some common feelings and experiences may include:

1. Overwhelming despair and hopelessness.
2. Feeling like a burden to others or that life is not worth living.
3. Intense emotional pain or numbness.
4. A sense of isolation or loneliness, even when surrounded by others.
5. Persistent thoughts of death or wanting to escape.
6. Difficulty imagining a future or finding pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
7. Feeling trapped with no way out of the pain.

Causes of Suicidal Thought?

Suicidal thoughts rarely have a single cause. Instead, they often stem from a complex mix of factors that can feel overwhelming. Here are some common contributors:

1. Mental health conditions

Mental health conditions - Suicidal thoughts — Image Source: Canva

When it comes to mental health conditions and suicidal thoughts, it’s like looking through a distorted lens. These conditions can significantly impact the way you perceive yourself, the world around you, and your ability to cope with challenges. Here’s a deeper dive into how some common mental health conditions can contribute to suicidal thoughts:

Depression: This condition creates a heavy cloak of negativity that can make you feel hopeless and worthless. It can zap your energy, making it difficult to find motivation or see a future for yourself. This relentless negativity can fuel thoughts of suicide as a way to escape the pain.
Anxiety disorders: Constant worry and fear can be incredibly draining. When anxiety disorders become severe, they can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming and the future seem uncertain. This sense of being overwhelmed and unable to control your thoughts can lead to suicidal thoughts as a perceived way to find peace.
Bipolar disorder: This condition involves extreme mood swings, from intense highs (mania) to crushing lows (depression). During depressive episodes, the same feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness experienced in depression can manifest as suicidal thoughts. Additionally, during manic episodes, impaired judgment and impulsivity can increase the risk of acting on suicidal thoughts.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, PTSD can make you relive those experiences through flashbacks and nightmares. This can lead to severe anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation, all of which can contribute to suicidal thoughts.

2. Life stressors

Life stressors - Suicidal thoughts — Image source: Canva

Life can throw some incredibly tough curveballs. Major stressors can feel like a tidal wave, threatening to drown you in their intensity. Here’s how stressful life events can contribute to suicidal thoughts:

Loss and grief: Losing a loved one, a job, or a relationship can trigger a deep sense of sadness, despair, and loneliness. When these emotions feel overwhelming and never-ending, suicidal thoughts can arise as a way to escape the pain.
Trauma: Experiencing physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or a violent event can leave lasting scars. The trauma can make you feel unsafe, insecure, and hopeless, potentially leading to suicidal thoughts as a way to regain control.
Financial hardship: The constant worry about money, debt, or affording basic necessities can be incredibly stressful. This financial strain can feel like a never-ending uphill battle, leading to feelings of helplessness and desperation, which can contribute to suicidal thoughts.
Chronic illness: Living with a chronic illness can be incredibly isolating and draining. The pain, fatigue, and limitations it can impose can make you feel hopeless and like a burden to others. These feelings can fuel suicidal thoughts as a perceived escape from the suffering.
Relationship problems: Difficult relationships with family, friends, or partners can be a major source of stress. Feeling isolated, misunderstood, or unloved within your relationships can make it harder to cope with other challenges and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts.

3. Substance abuse

Substance abuse - Suicidal thoughts — Image Source: Canva

Drugs and alcohol can worsen mental health problems and cloud your judgment, making suicidal thoughts more likely. Therefore, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts create a dangerous cycle. Here’s how drugs and alcohol can contribute to thinking about suicide:

Chemical Imbalance: Drugs and alcohol can alter the brain’s chemistry, affecting mood regulation and impulse control. This can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness, which are major risk factors for suicidal thoughts.
Distorted Thinking: Substances can impair your judgment and make it difficult to think clearly. This can lead to negative self-talk, increased pessimism, and a distorted view of your situation. When problems seem insurmountable, suicidal thoughts can appear as a way out.
Increased Impulsivity: Substances can make you more impulsive and less likely to think through the consequences of your actions. This can increase the risk of acting on suicidal thoughts in a moment of crisis.
Self-Medication: Some people use drugs or alcohol to try to numb emotional pain or cope with mental health problems. However, this is a temporary solution that ultimately worsens the underlying issues and can fuel suicidal thoughts.
Social Isolation: Substance abuse can damage relationships and lead to social isolation. Feeling alone and unsupported makes it harder to cope with emotional pain and increases the risk of suicidal thoughts.

4. Social isolation

Feeling alone, disconnected, or unsupported can make it harder to cope with emotional pain. Thus, social isolation is like being stranded on an island with no hope of rescue. It can be a major contributor to suicidal thoughts in a few key ways:

Lack of Support System: Humans are social creatures who crave connection. When you’re isolated, you don’t have a network of people to turn to for emotional support during difficult times. This lack of a safety net can make you feel alone, misunderstood, and overwhelmed by your problems. These feelings can make suicide seem like the only way out.
Negative Self-Talk: Social isolation can fuel negative self-beliefs. Without positive reinforcement and connection, you might start to believe negative thoughts about yourself and your worth. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and isolation, further deepening the cycle.
Loss of Purpose and Meaning: Social connections provide a sense of belonging and purpose. When you’re isolated, you might feel like you don’t matter or that your life has no meaning. This lack of purpose can be incredibly demoralizing and contribute to suicidal thoughts.
Increased Vulnerability: Social isolation can make you more vulnerable to the effects of stress and mental health problems. Without a support system to help you cope, these challenges can feel even more overwhelming, increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Misinterpretation of Social Cues: Social isolation can make it difficult to accurately interpret social cues. You might misinterpret a neutral interaction as rejection, further reinforcing feelings of isolation and loneliness.

5. Suicide in the family or community

Exposure to suicide, whether in your family or community, can be a complex and unsettling experience that increases the risk of suicidal thoughts for a few reasons:

Normalization of Suicide: When someone close to you dies by suicide, it can make suicide seem like a more viable option. The act itself becomes a tangible solution to overwhelming problems, even if it wasn’t the intention of the person who died.
Identification with the Deceased: You might identify with the person who died by suicide, especially if you shared similar struggles or life experiences. This identification can make their suicide feel more relevant and relatable, potentially increasing your own risk.
Fear of Hereditary Risk: There’s a misconception that suicide is inheritable. While certain mental health conditions that can increase suicide risk might run in families, suicide itself is not. However, exposure to suicide can lead to anxieties about a potential genetic link, causing feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Media Portrayal (if applicable): If the suicide receives a lot of media attention, especially sensationalized portrayals, it can have a negative impact. This type of coverage can make suicide seem more common or even romanticized, further increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts, particularly for vulnerable individuals.
Copycat Effect: There’s evidence to suggest a “copycat effect” with suicide, especially among adolescents. Exposure to a suicide, particularly a high-profile one, can lead to a cluster of suicides in a similar age group or community. This highlights the importance of responsible media coverage and promoting help-seeking behaviors.

How to Cope with Suicide Thought

Coping with suicidal thoughts can be challenging, but there are strategies to help manage them:

1. Talk to Someone: Share your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or hotline counselor. Talking about your thoughts and emotions can provide relief and support.

2. Create a Safety Plan: Develop a plan that includes coping strategies, people to contact for support, and steps to take in a crisis situation.

3. Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that promote your well-being, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, hobbies, and spending time with loved ones.

4. Limit Access to Means: If you have access to means of self-harm, such as medications or weapons, consider restricting access or removing them from your environment.

5. Stay Connected: Stay connected with supportive people in your life, even if it’s challenging. Social support can provide a buffer against suicidal thoughts.

6. Set Realistic Goals: Break tasks into manageable steps and set achievable goals for yourself. Celebrate small victories along the way.

7. Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing exercises or meditation, can help you stay grounded and manage intense emotions.

8. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive or realistic thoughts. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques can be helpful for this.

How to Treat Suicidal Feelings

If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and there is help available. Here are some steps you can take to get the support you need:

1. Reach Out Immediately

Crisis Hotline: Call a suicide or crisis hotline. They are staffed by trained professionals who can provide immediate support and help you develop a safety plan. You can find a hotline number in the next heading, by searching online or calling 911 (or your local emergency number) and asking for help with suicidal thoughts.
Trusted Friend or Family Member: Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling. Sharing your burden can be a huge relief and open the door to getting the support you need.

2. Develop a Safety Plan

Limit Access: If you’re having thoughts of harming yourself, remove any means you might consider using. Let a trusted friend or family member hold onto them for safekeeping.
Identify Triggers: What situations or emotions tend to trigger your suicidal thoughts? Once you identify them, develop coping mechanisms to manage those triggers in a healthy way.
Seek Professional Help: A therapist or counsellor can help you understand the root of your suicidal thoughts and develop healthy coping mechanisms. They can also provide medication if needed.
Seek Emergency Help if Needed: If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a mental health crisis, reach out to emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room for assistance.

Additional Resources

There are many online resources and support groups available for people struggling with suicidal thoughts. These resources can provide information, connection, and a sense of community.

How to Get Help When Dealing with Suicide Thought

You are not alone, getting help is a sign that you are strong and your help journey will also strengthen other. So you can search for help online by reaching agencies in your country. The most important thing is to reach out for help. You don’t have to go through this alone and they are ever ready to have you with love. Please reach the contact below based on your location.

Here are some helplines in Nigeria

Nigeria Suicide Prevention Initiative Counselling Centre: 234 809 210 6493 (This is a 24/7 hotline)
SURPIN Helpline Nigeria: 09080217555, 09034400009, 08111909909 (This hotline may have varying hours, so it’s best to try multiple numbers if needed)
Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI): They offer 24/7, free and confidential support and information over the phone. You can find their contact information on their website or social media pages

Here are some additional resources that can be helpful:

Find a Helpline: This website allows you to search for helplines in Nigeria based on the topic (suicide) https://findahelpline.com/countries/ng
The Nigerian Red Cross: They may be able to offer support or point you towards resources – Contact information can be found on their website ()

Remember, even if you can’t reach someone immediately, there is help available. You can also call the National Emergency Hotline at 112.

Here are some helplines in the UK

Samaritans: Freephone 116 123 (24/7 service) – This is a great first point of contact, offering confidential emotional support to anyone in the UK and Ireland.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight every day) – They specialize in men’s mental health and offer a helpline and webchat service.
Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide):
- HOPELINEUK: 0800 068 41 41 (available 24/7)
- Text 07860 039967 (available 24/7)
- Email [email protected] – Provides support specifically for young people under 35 and anyone worried about a young person.

These helplines are staffed by trained professionals who can provide immediate support and listen without judgment. They can also help you develop a safety plan to keep yourself safe in the moment.

Here are some helplines in the USA

In the USA, the best resource for immediate help with suicidal thoughts is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:

Phone: 988 (This is a new, easy-to-remember number launched in July 2022)
Website: https://988lifeline.org/current-events/the-lifeline-and-988/
Text: Text HOME to 741741

The 988 Lifeline is a free, confidential service available 24/7 across the United States. It connects you with a trained crisis counselor who can provide immediate support and help you develop a safety plan.

Here are some helplines in the Canada

In Canada, the best resource for immediate help with suicidal thoughts is the new national service:

9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Helpline: You can call or text 9-8-8 (launched recently in Canada).

This is a free, confidential service available 24/7 across Canada. It connects you with a trained crisis counsellor who can provide immediate support and help you develop a safety plan.

Here are some additional resources that might be helpful:

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT (This service is specifically for youth).
Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310 (This service is available for Indigenous peoples in Canada).
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention (CASP): https://suicideprevention.ca/about-us/ This website has a service directory that can connect you with resources in your area.
Suicide Prevention, Mental Health Commission of Canada

Conclusion

Suicidal thoughts can be a terrifying and overwhelming experience, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. These thoughts are more common than you might realize, and there is help and hope available. By understanding the causes of suicidal thoughts, developing healthy coping mechanisms, and reaching out for support, you can move through this difficult time. Remember, reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Some people care about you and want to help you get through this. You don’t have to fight this battle alone. Please take that first step towards healing and reach out for the support you deserve.

FAQs

Can medication cause suicidal feelings?

Yes, in some cases medication can be a risk factor for suicidal thoughts and feelings. Here’s what you need to know:

Certain Medications: Antidepressants, particularly Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), can cause an increased risk of suicidal thoughts, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults. This risk is usually higher in the initial stages of treatment before the medication’s full effects kick in.
Temporary Side Effect: It’s important to understand that this increased risk is often temporary. As the medication regulates your mood, these thoughts typically subside.
Talk to Your Doctor: If you experience any suicidal thoughts or feelings while taking medication, it’s crucial to talk to your doctor immediately. They can adjust your dosage or prescribe a different medication altogether.

How long will I feel suicidal?

It’s impossible to predict exactly how long you’ll feel suicidal. The important thing to remember is that these feelings are not permanent, and there is help available.

Here are some factors that can influence how long suicidal thoughts might last:

The severity of the underlying cause: If your suicidal thoughts are caused by a mental health condition, getting treatment can significantly reduce them.
Your support system: Having strong social connections and access to professional help can shorten the duration of suicidal thoughts.
Your coping mechanisms: Learning healthy coping skills to manage stress and difficult emotions can help you weather these feelings more effectively.

The most important step is to reach out for help.

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