Suicidal thoughts are thoughts about wanting to end your life or wishing you were dead. You might also think about the ways you could end your life or believe it would be better for others if you were not alive.
Suicidal thoughts are also known as suicidal ideation.
Suicidal thoughts do not mean that you are planning to take your life. Sometimes these thoughts happen because you want an end to emotional or physical suffering. Other times, you may feel like acting on your thoughts.
It's important to remember that suicidal thoughts can come and go. You do not have to act on your thoughts — they will pass.
Suicidal thoughts can cause you distress. You may feel:
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. Around 1 in 6 Australians have thought about suicide during their life. Many people who have suicidal thoughts find a way through.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, there is help available. Consider reaching out to:
Watch videos from Lifeline's YouTube channel (Opens in new tab). In this series, people share their stories to encourage others to get help.
There are many reasons people may think about suicide. It might be due to one big event in your life, or a combination of factors. You might not know why you are feeling suicidal.
Some of the most common reasons (Opens in new tab) for suicidal thoughts are:
Personal problems can include:
Major stresses might include problems with your:
Catastrophic events, such as a natural or man-made disaster, can also be a major stress.
Regardless of the reason for having suicidal thoughts, it's important to remember that it's never too late to get help.
If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts, there are some things that can help.
If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts (Opens in new tab), let someone know how you're feeling.
You can talk to a:
Your doctor can also refer you for more help if you need it, such as from a psychologist or psychiatrist.
It's important to stay focused on the present. Worrying about things often leads to feeling more overwhelmed. In the short term, it can help to focus your attention on something that feels manageable. This might mean:
Do not use drugs and alcohol. They can make you feel worse or cause you to do things you wouldn't do if you were sober.
Get rid of things you can use to hurt yourself or give them to someone you trust. This might include:
To keep yourself safe, you can also:
It's important to make a suicide safety plan (Opens in new tab), which you can follow if you're feeling suicidal. Your plan should remind you of:
Your doctor or support person can help you make a safety plan. The BeyondNow (Opens in new tab) app can also help.
Suicidal thoughts can make you believe things will not improve or that you don't have value. This is not true. Remind yourself that:
If you're feeling suicidal, it can seem like the hardest time to talk about how you feel. You might worry about what people will think of you, or how they might react.
While talking can be difficult, it can be the first step to feeling better. There are many ways you can start talking to someone.
You can read more about talking about your mental health concerns.
If you decide to talk with a friend or family member:
You can prepare for the conversation by:
If you're not ready to have a face-to-face conversation, you can talk over the phone.
If you don't feel comfortable talking to someone you know, there are other options available. This can include:
If you decide to talk to a health professional, tell them:
They can guide the conversation once you get started.
Visit Beyond Blue's website for tips on things to say (Opens in new tab).
There are ways you can improve your mental health, which will help to protect you from suicidal thoughts. These include:
Talking with someone who has suicidal thoughts can:
If someone you know is thinking about ending their life, it's best to act immediately. This may help stop them from attempting suicide.
There are 4 key steps to follow when talking to someone who has suicidal thoughts.
Remember to look after yourself as well. Helping a person experiencing suicidal thoughts can make you feel stressed or overwhelmed, so it's important that you also find someone to talk to.
You can read more about supporting someone with suicidal thoughts on the Black Dog (Opens in new tab) Institute page. You can also ask your doctor for advice.
Visit the Medicare Mental Health website (Opens in new tab) for information and resources suited to your situation. You can also call them on 1800 595 212 for mental health guidance.
There are many organisations that can help you:
If you are helping someone who is having suicidal thoughts, visit the Suicide Call Back Service (Opens in new tab) page for information on:
For information about the national suicide prevention strategy (Opens in new tab) in multiple languages, visit the Health Translations (Opens in new tab)website.
If you need support in different languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) (Opens in new tab) on 13 14 50.
There is mental health support available for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people:
You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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Last reviewed: April 2026
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