Talking about suicide with someone can be very difficult. However, if you choose the right person, talking with them about how you feel will usually help.
You may be worried that you will be told to stop overreacting or that such thoughts are a sign of weakness. You might feel embarrassed or ashamed. You might feel it is easier to keep it to yourself rather than risk telling someone.
Suicide is a serious public health concern, and men are at a higher risk of dying by suicide than women. There are many factors that contribute to this increased risk, including societal expectations around masculinity and the stigma surrounding mental health issues. Here are some considerations for men and suicide prevention:
- Recognize the signs: Suicide is often preceded by warning signs, such as feelings of hopelessness, withdrawal from friends and family, and changes in behavior. It’s important to recognize these signs and take them seriously.
- Seek help: If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional or crisis hotline. You can also reach out to trusted friends or family members for support.
- Break down the stigma: There can be a stigma surrounding mental health issues and seeking help, which can prevent men from getting the help they need. It’s important to recognize that mental health issues are common and treatable, and seeking help is a sign of strength.
- Prioritize self-care: Self-care can be an effective way to manage stress and improve mental health. This can include things like exercise, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities you enjoy.
- Be there for others: If you know someone who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, it’s important to be there for them and offer support. Encourage them to seek professional help and offer to help them find resources.
Remember, suicide is preventable, and seeking help is a sign of strength. By recognizing the signs, seeking help, breaking down the stigma, prioritizing self-care, and being there for others, men can take proactive steps to prevent suicide and improve their mental health.
Accessing professional support:-
Feeling suicidal can be an overwhelming and painful experience, but it is not something you have to bear alone. Asking for help is an essential step toward getting the support you need.
In an emergency
If you are in immediate danger or concerned for your safety in any way:
- Call 911 and request an ambulance. Stay on the line, speak clearly, and be ready to answer the operator’s questions
- Attend your local hospital’s emergency department
- Call your local 24 Hour Mental Health Service Crisis Line.
Each of these emergency services teams is specially trained to support people in crisis, including people feeling suicidal, and can keep you safe.
Several services and professionals are available to help you through this difficult time. You may wish to speak to someone over the phone or prefer to seek help face-to-face. Whichever you choose, it’s vital that you are as honest about your situation and how you’re feeling as possible to get the support you need. Talking to someone about such a painful issue can be difficult, so you may want to check out our How to talk about suicide page for information and tips on starting a conversation.
Why do I want to end my life?
There are many reasons people think about ending their life.
Some everyday life experiences include:
- Being abused, bullied (physical, emotional, or sexual), or excluded
- Significant loss, such as a life partner
- Major life stresses (e.g., a relationship breakdown, legal or financial problems)
- Chronic pain and chronic illness (including mental illness)
- Unemployment
- Alcohol and drug use.
You might be experiencing a combination of the above in your life, making you feel overwhelmed and distressed. You might be so troubled that you cannot sleep, eat or enjoy anything.
Although you may feel painless, you must know that other people have also thought about ending their lives. Other people thinking about suicide will have had similar thoughts to your own.
Accessing professional support
Feeling suicidal can be an overwhelming and painful experience, but it is not something you have to bear alone. Asking for help is an essential step toward getting the support you need.
In an emergency
If you are in immediate danger or concerned for your safety in any way:
- Call 911 and request an ambulance. Stay on the line, speak clearly, and be ready to answer the operator’s questions
- Attend your local hospital’s emergency department
- Call your 988 Suicide Line or local Public Emergency Mental Health Service.
Each of these emergency services teams is specially trained to support people in crisis, including people feeling suicidal, and can keep you safe.
Several services and professionals are available to help you through this difficult time. You may wish to speak to someone over the phone or prefer to seek help face-to-face. Whichever you choose, it’s essential that you are as honest about your situation and how you’re feeling as possible to get the support you need. Talking to someone about such a painful issue can be difficult, so you may want to check out our
Making a safety plan:-
Work with someone you trust – such as a close friend, family member, doctor, or counselor- to develop your suicide safety plan.
Getting these people involved is a good idea since you may need to call on them, and they must know the best way to care for you.
It is best to create a plan when you are feeling well and thinking clearly, rather than waiting until you feel overwhelmed and suicidal. Put your suicide safety plan in writing and keep it where you can easily find it.
What to include in your safety plan:-
- When the plan should be used, Familiarize yourself with what types of situations, thoughts, and feelings might lead to suicidal urges for you. List the warning signs so that you can refer to them when you are deciding on whether to activate your plan
- What can you do to calm/comfort yourself when you are feeling suicidal List the activities that you know both soothe and relax you when you are upset
- Create a list for yourself of all your reasons for living. When you feel suicidal, it is easy to get caught up in your pain and forget the positives in your life. Your list may help you to refocus your attention until the suicidal feelings pass
- Who can you talk to? List names and contact details and include backups in case your first choice is unavailable
- Who can you talk to if you need professional assistance? Create a list of professional resources available to you, along with their contact details and availability
- How you can you make your environment safe? This may involve removing or securing any items that you are likely to use to hurt yourself and not doing things that you know make your feelings stronger or longer lasting
- What you can do if you are still not feeling safe Keep the name and address of your nearest hospital emergency department or telephone crisis line
- Make a safety plan commitment. The last step is to commit to your safety plan. This means saving yourself that you will follow this plan when the need arises and then committing aloud to someone else (e.g., your counselor or a trusted friend) that you will follow this plan. This is also called “a safety contract.”