Suicidal thoughts are different for everyone and they can range in intensity. Some people might feel as though everyone would be better off without them, or wish that they didn’t exist anymore, whereas some people might think about specific ways to end their life or make a plan to do so.
Over 20% of adults have thought about taking their own life at some point, so it’s fair to say that some forms of suicidal thoughts aren’t uncommon, but that doesn’t mean that they’re typical. If you are having thoughts about dying or taking your own life, it’s important that you reach out for help.
If you believe that you might act on the suicidal thoughts you’re having, you should call 111 or 999 right away.
The difference between active and passive suicidal thoughts
Active suicidal thoughts are when someone intends to take their own life. They might be thinking about different methods, or making a plan to do it. When someone is having active suicidal thoughts, they need immediate help from a mental health professional.
Passive suicidal thoughts are when someone has thoughts of dying, such as wishing they were dead, but they have no intentions of attempting suicide. Although the thoughts are passive, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t dangerous or that they won’t tip over into active thoughts.
What can cause suicidal thoughts?
Often, suicidal thoughts don’t have one single cause, but they might happen because someone wants to end the emotional or physical pain that they’re experiencing.
They might be going through a very difficult time in their life, such as an illness, losing a loved one, divorce, addiction or financial issues, which has brought on difficult feelings, such as hopelessness, shame or guilt. They might see the only way out of this situation as taking their own life.
Sometimes, suicidal thoughts can be a symptom of a mental health condition, such as:
Remember, even when everything seems hopeless or your life feels out of control, suicide is not the answer. Even if you feel like others would be better off without you, reaching out and talking to someone about how you're feeling can help to lighten the burden.
How do suicidal thoughts feel?
Everyone will experience suicidal thoughts differently, but you might feel like you’re:
- Unable to cope with your feelings or something that you’re going through.
- Hopeless, like there’s no point in anything or like things will never get better.
- Useless or that everyone would be happier without you.
- Like you want to die, disappear, give up or no longer exist.
These thoughts can intensify over time, or change on a regular basis. Some people might feel confused about why they’re having these thoughts and feel distressed by them.
When to seek help
Sometimes, thoughts about suicide can be fleeting or a one-off. However, if you notice that these thoughts keep coming up or that they get worse, it’s important that you get help quickly.
If you’re having active suicidal thoughts and you intend to end your life, you should tell someone right away and get urgent help from a health professional by calling 999 or 111.
Where to get support
If you’re experiencing repetitive suicidal thoughts and the situation isn’t an emergency, make an appointment with your GP to talk to them about how you’ve been feeling. They will be able to talk to you about treatment options, which might include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
At ieso, we offer typed CBT for a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD and OCD. Our service is remote and flexible, so you can join sessions from your own home, or anywhere that you have an internet connection. Find out more about what we do.
Mental health helplines
If you’d like to speak to someone now about your mental health or something you’re going through, you can call one of these helplines:
- Samaritans
Call 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.org
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
Visit the webchat page
- Papyrus – for people under 35
Call 0800068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 9am-10pm, weekends and bank holidays 2pm-10pm
Text 07860 039967
Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
- Childline – for children and young people under 19
Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on the phone bill
Getting Support
If you’re finding your mental health harder to manage, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can offer practical tools for everyday life. At Mindler (previously ieso), we provide free, confidential online appointments through the NHS with a qualified therapist that you can access from the comfort of your home, with flexible times that suit you.
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