For someone having suicidal thoughts, the most important thing is not to be alone with your feelings, thoughts and actions.

Recognizing suicide risk – 

Last updated on August 30th, 2025 at 01:26 pm

You can first consider seeking help with a friend or loved one. Is it enough to just talk, you should contact, for example, a school nurse or occupational health care provider, if the condition is dangerous to you or others a psychiatric outpatient clinic or health center, or even go straight to the emergency room.

If the situation is not quite acute and there is no immediate danger, you can say, “Is it okay for me to call you tomorrow?”, “Let’s talk more tomorrow,” or “Let’s meet in a couple of days.”

How do you know that seeking help is urgent?

If you notice that the other person is really agitated and a little confused, then the situation is on. Then the first thing to do is call the emergency center and ask what to do now. You can also tell the other person if you want to go to the emergency room together.

If you notice that someone has already done something to themselves, for example taken medication or cut themselves, then you call the emergency center and ask for an ambulance. You transfer that action and responsibility to professional personnel. But you can also go together with the other person to get help.

The risk of suicide is high if a person;

• Talks about wanting to die
• Seeks ways to commit suicide
• Talks about feeling hopeless or worthless
• Talks about being at a dead end or experiencing unbearable pain
• Talks about being a burden to others
• Increases their use of alcohol or drugs
  behaves anxiously, agitatedly or restlessly
• Sleeps too little or too much
• Withdraws into themselves or feels distant
• Shows rage or talks about taking revenge
• Moves from one emotional extreme to another
• There are many symptoms, so trust your instincts. You know your loved one, and you know what is typical for them and what is not. If everything does not seem to be okay, feel free to bring it up and ask if they have suicidal thoughts or have thought about suicide.

Important to remember when communicating with those in need.

Being dismissive or belittling someone does not make them feel any better; on the contrary, it can increase their pain, and they may never come back to it or tell anyone about it.