Suicide Warning Signs and What to Do—An Evidence-Based Guide
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Also See: Prioritizing Professional Mental Health Care: Understanding When to Seek Help Before Exploring Spirituality


Shared to a group I am moderating:


To the anonymous user who posted earlier about having thoughts of self-harm: even though you decided to remove your post, please know that we are still thinking of you. This message is for you and for anyone else going through a difficult time. We also want to use this as an opportunity to remind everyone how to support others who may be showing signs of distress.

Don’t wait: seek professional help early when these symptoms show up
If you (or someone you love) feels persistently numb, hopeless, detached, or suicidal, please treat that as a health issue—not a character flaw and not a “practice problem.” Early, professional help saves lives.
  • Globally, more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year; among 15–29 year-olds it’s a leading cause of death. World Health Organization factsheet: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
  • In the U.S., suicide remains one of the leading causes of death; see the most recent data: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html
Why early help matters
  • Delays are common—and harmful. Large cross-national research shows years-long delays between first symptoms and first treatment for mood and anxiety disorders; earlier contact is associated with better outcomes. Overview: https://europepmc.org/article/pmc/pmc3271938
  • Brief, evidence-based care reduces risk. A simple Safety Planning Intervention given in emergency departments reduced subsequent suicidal behavior and increased outpatient engagement over 6 months:
    JAMA Psychiatry (Stanley et al., 2018): https://jamanetwork.com/.../jamapsych.../fullarticle/2687370     (open PDF from Royal College summary: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/.../comparison-of-safety...)
  • Therapy works—including online. Meta-analyses show CBT/DBT and internet-based CBT lower suicidal ideation (and in many studies, attempts) vs usual care:
    JAMA Network Open (systematic review/meta-analysis): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2765056
    (Another recent systematic review – abstract/landing: https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S1438887123004788)
  • Health-system guidance supports fast assessment. NICE (UK) recommends a timely psychosocial assessment after any self-harm to reduce future risk and connect people to care: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng225
  • Screening context (what primary care can do): The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends depression screening for all adults and notes evidence is insufficient for universal suicide-risk screening itself—so clinicians screen for depression, then assess suicide risk when indicated:
    USPSTF recommendation (JAMA summary): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2806144
    Task Force page: https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/draft-recommendation/screening-depression-suicide-risk-adults
“Isn’t it dangerous to ask about suicide?” (No.)
Evidence shows that asking about suicide does not plant the idea or increase risk; in some contexts it’s associated with small benefits (more disclosure, reduced distress/ideation).
Warning signs that mean act now
Recognized red flags from national agencies include: talking about wanting to die; feeling like a burden; unbearable pain; severe agitation/rage; reckless behavior; heavy substance use; withdrawing; giving away possessions; saying goodbye; or a sudden calm after turmoil.
What “getting help” actually looks like
  • Primary-care / GP visit: brief screening and referral. (USPSTF depression screening recommendation above — helps catch issues early.)
  • Licensed mental-health care: psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social worker. Evidence-based options include CBT, DBT, medication when appropriate, safety planning, and follow-up.
  • Health-system playbook: WHO LIVE LIFE prevention package (for clinicians, systems, communities): https://www.who.int/initiatives/live-life
If you’re on a spiritual path: practice can support recovery, but when major depression or suicidality is present, pair practice with clinical care and social support (WHO guidance above).
What to do today
  1. If you’re in immediate danger: call your local emergency number.
  2. Tell a professional plainly: “I’m having thoughts of harming myself.” Directness gets you the right level of care faster (NICE guidance: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng225).
  3. Use 24/7 crisis support (free, confidential):
    • United States & Canada: 988 call/text/chat — official site: https://988lifeline.org/ (what to expect: https://988lifeline.org/get-help/)
    • United Kingdom & Ireland: Samaritans 116 123 — https://www.samaritans.org/ (how to contact: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/)
    • Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14 — https://www.lifeline.org.au/ (info page also via Lifeline International: https://lifeline-international.com/member/australia/)
    • New Zealand: Call/Text 1737 — quick info: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/resources/download/244/yyob5wbpz4md3kui or directory: https://findahelpline.com/countries/nz
    • Anywhere else: Find A Helpline (vetted, global directory): https://lifeline-intl.findahelpline.com/
  4. Make a simple safety plan (warning signs, coping steps, people to call, removing means) with a clinician or trusted supporter—this is part of the evidence base:
    JAMA Psychiatry study showing benefit of Safety Planning + follow-up: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2687370
  5. Follow up—first weeks matter. Keep appointments; if one option isn’t a fit, try another (different therapist, modality, or digital program). (See evidence on early response predicting better outcomes: https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.focus.20170011)
A note to our community
This group discusses awakening; we are not a crisis service. When acute risk shows up in a post or comment, we’ll lock discussion and help the poster reach professional care. That keeps everyone safer—and follows public-health guidance.
If this describes you today: you’re not broken, and you’re not alone. Reach out now.
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