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If someone you care about may be suicidal, you can call or text 988 in the United States for crisis support and guidance—even if you are calling about another person. If they are in immediate, life-threatening danger or need urgent medical care, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You do not have to manage this alone: 988 can support you, too.
Choose help based on how urgent the situation is
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Immediate, life-threatening danger or a medical emergency | Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. NIMH’s emergency guidance and SAMHSA’s 988 information distinguish emergency care from crisis counseling. |
| You are worried about suicide, need crisis counseling, or want guidance as a supporter | Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org. The Lifeline says supporters can contact it when concerned about someone else and can also seek support for themselves. See its guidance for helping someone else. |
| You need to locate treatment or ask about referrals | Use FindTreatment.gov to search for treatment facilities or providers, or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for treatment referral and information. SAMHSA describes the helpline as free, confidential, and available 24 hours in English and Spanish. National Helpline details. |
These contacts are for the United States. If you are elsewhere, use your local emergency number and crisis service; 988 is not an international crisis number.
What to do when you are worried about someone
NIMH describes five practical actions for supporting a person in emotional pain. They are ways to help connect someone with care, not a replacement for crisis professionals.
Ask directly and listen
Ask whether they are thinking about suicide. Give them room to answer, listen without judgment, and let them know you are concerned. SAMHSA recommends asking questions and being present rather than trying to force care on someone.
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Help them stay safer
Talk with them about a plan to stay safe and, where possible, reduce access to highly lethal means. If they tell you they are going to kill themselves, NIMH advises not leaving them alone. Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts secret: tell a trusted person and seek help. If there is immediate life-threatening danger, call 911.
Connect them with help
Offer to contact 988 together, reach out to a trusted person, or find a mental health professional. NIMH notes that family and friends can take the first step toward helping someone find treatment. SAMHSA also recommends offering practical help, such as assisting with a connection to care if the person needs or wants it. You cannot force someone to get care, and the appropriate service depends on their needs and location.
Follow up
Stay in touch after a crisis or after the person leaves care. NIMH’s guidance identifies follow-up as one of its five actions for helping someone in emotional pain.
Find support for yourself as a family member or friend
Supporting someone through suicidal thoughts can be frightening and emotionally difficult. You can call or text 988 for your own support, ask a trusted friend or relative to stand with you, or seek guidance from a mental health professional. The 988 Lifeline’s “Help Someone Else” guidance tells supporters: “If it does, please reach out for support yourself.” Asking for help is part of responding to a serious situation; you do not need to carry it alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use treatment-referral resources when the immediate crisis has passed
For a provider or facility search, visit FindTreatment.gov. For referral information by phone, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357. The directory and helpline can help you explore options; they do not establish which treatment is right for a particular person. If safety becomes urgent while you are arranging care, use 988 for crisis support or 911 for immediate life-threatening danger.
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