About 5 minutes to read
Maybe you opened this page because you don't want to wake up tomorrow. Maybe you want the pain to stop but don't know what else could change. I don't know what has brought you this far. I do know that you deserve a serious hearing, not a lecture or a quick answer.
If you think you might act on these thoughts now, call 911 or go to an emergency department. If you have already harmed yourself, seek emergency medical care immediately. If you aren't in immediate danger, you can call 988 or text 988 in the United States, day or night. A crisis counselor can listen and help you work out what to do next. You can also use the 988 Lifeline website (opens in a new tab). Outside the United States, use your local crisis or emergency service.
Tell one safe person what's happening. You don't have to explain everything before asking them to stay with you. You can say, "I'm having thoughts of suicide. I'm worried about being alone. Can you stay with me while I get help?" If telling someone in your home would put you in danger, contact a crisis counselor or another safe person instead.
What to Do During the Hardest Hours
If you're afraid you may hurt yourself, ask someone safe to stay with you. Have a trusted person secure medicines, firearms, or anything else you might use to harm yourself, or help you move somewhere away from them. Avoid alcohol or drugs that could make it harder to stay safe. Do not try to manage a dangerous night alone.
Sometimes people are frightened to say the word suicide because they think they'll disappoint everyone. A doctor, counselor, pastor, or friend may not know the danger unless you tell them plainly. If the first person dismisses what you're saying, contact another person or 988. An urgent problem deserves an urgent response even if you cannot explain why it has become so bad.
You do not need to decide what the rest of your life will look like tonight. The immediate task is to remain alive and get another person involved. Make the call, accept a ride to care if you need one, and let the bigger questions wait until you're safe.
What if You Think God Has Left You?
Some people come to thoughts of death while feeling that God has turned against them. Others are suffering from depression, trauma, illness, loss, or troubles that seem to have no end. You may be facing more than one of those things. This page cannot tell you why you're suffering, and it would be wrong to pretend that every cause is spiritual.
Elijah once asked the Lord to take his life (1 Kings 19:4 (opens in a new tab)). God provided care for his weary servant and continued dealing patiently with him. That account isn't a treatment for every mental health problem. It shows that the Lord didn't meet Elijah's distress with an accusation and send him away.
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (opens in a new tab) (KJV)
Psalm 34 (opens in a new tab) was written by a man acquainted with fear and danger. It doesn't promise that tonight's trouble will disappear. It does teach that the Lord hears the brokenhearted who cry to him. If you cannot form a long prayer, you can ask him for help in a few words. And you can ask a Christian you trust to pray with you while you seek treatment and company.
Christ calls weary sinners to come to him (Matthew 11:28 (opens in a new tab)), and he has promised not to cast out those who come (John 6:37 (opens in a new tab)). Do not measure his willingness to receive you by how hopeful you feel. You don't need to settle your assurance of salvation before asking for help with your life.
When the Immediate Danger Has Passed
Even if the thoughts become quieter, tell a doctor or qualified mental health professional what happened. They can assess what care is needed. If you're already receiving treatment, tell your care team about the thoughts so the plan can be reviewed. Don't stop prescribed medicines without speaking to the clinician who manages them.
Ask someone to help you make a written safety plan with warning signs, safe people to call, places where you can get support, and ways to keep dangerous items out of reach. A qualified professional or crisis counselor can help make the plan realistic. Ask a friend to check in after the first difficult night. You may need continuing care even when others think the crisis has passed.
If your pastor or an elder is trustworthy, tell him. The church can help with visits, meals, transport to appointments, or simply being present. A pastor cannot replace medical treatment, and emergency help must never wait for a church appointment. If a church leader has made you afraid to seek care, speak with someone independent of him.
For guidance about depression, anxiety and panic, or feeling far from God, you can read those pages when you are safe. For now, the most important thing is to tell someone how much you're hurting and let them help you stay here.
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