Therapy can support suicide prevention by helping individuals talk openly about suicidal thoughts, emotional pain, hopelessness, and safety concerns in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.

A therapist can help identify warning signs, strengthen coping strategies, develop safety plans, address underlying mental health concerns, and connect individuals with additional resources when needed.

Many people seek therapy because they feel overwhelmed, exhausted, trapped, or unsure how to keep going. Others may not want to die, but they want the pain they are experiencing to stop.

The goal of suicide prevention is to increase safety, reduce isolation, and help people get through moments that feel unbearable. Support is available, and suicidal thoughts do not have to be faced alone.

One common misconception is that suicidal thoughts always mean someone truly wants to die.

In many cases, suicidal thoughts reflect intense emotional pain, hopelessness, exhaustion, or a desire for relief from suffering.

Another misunderstanding is that talking about suicidal thoughts makes them worse. In reality, safe and supportive conversations can help reduce isolation and connect people with help.

People are also sometimes surprised to learn that suicidal thoughts can affect individuals from all backgrounds, even those who appear successful, loved, or functional on the outside.

Suicidal thoughts should always be taken seriously, but they are also treatable, and support can make a meaningful difference.

Suicidal thoughts may require immediate support when someone feels unsafe, has a plan, has access to means, feels unable to resist urges, or believes they may act on those thoughts.

Immediate support is also important if thoughts are becoming more frequent, intense, or difficult to manage.

A useful question to consider is, "Do I feel safe being alone with these thoughts right now?"

If the answer is no, or if there is uncertainty, emergency or crisis support should be contacted right away.

It is better to reach out early than to wait until the situation becomes more dangerous.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, the most important first step is to increase safety and reach out for support immediately. This may mean contacting emergency services, calling a crisis line, going to an emergency room, reaching out to a trusted person, or contacting a mental health professional.

If possible, move away from anything that could be used to harm yourself and avoid being alone while the thoughts feel intense. During moments of suicidal crisis, the goal is not to solve every problem in your life.

The goal is to get through the immediate moment safely and connect with support. Suicidal thoughts can feel permanent when they are intense, but the intensity can change. Help is available.

Important: Westside Behavioral Care providers are not emergency crisis responders. Some therapists may offer crisis-focused appointments for individuals who can safely wait 24 to 48 hours for support.

If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance, contact emergency services, call or text 988, or contact Colorado Crisis Services by calling 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or texting TALK to 38255.

Colorado Crisis Services and 988 are available 24 hours a day and can provide immediate support, crisis counseling, and access to mobile crisis response teams when needed.

Additional crisis resources are available on Westside Behavioral Care's Crisis Resources page.

Warning signs may include:

Talking about wanting to die
Feeling hopeless, trapped, or like a burden
Looking for ways to harm oneself
Withdrawing from others
Giving away possessions
Saying goodbye in concerning ways
Increased substance use
Extreme mood changes
Reckless behavior
Sudden calm after severe distress
Expressing that life is not worth living

Any warning sign involving immediate danger, a plan, or intent should be treated as urgent. When in doubt, it is safer to seek help.

Yes. Many people who experience suicidal thoughts go on to recover, heal, and build meaningful lives.

Recovery often involves support, treatment, safety planning, stronger coping skills, connection with others, and addressing the pain or circumstances contributing to suicidal thoughts.

The path forward may not feel clear during a crisis, but suicidal thoughts can change with time and support. Many people later feel grateful that they received help during moments when they could not see another way forward. Hope may not return all at once, but it can return.

Online therapy may help some individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, especially when they need ongoing emotional support, coping strategies, safety planning, or help addressing underlying concerns.

However, online therapy is not always enough during an immediate crisis. If someone is in immediate danger, has a plan, feels unable to stay safe, or may act on suicidal thoughts, emergency services or crisis support should be contacted right away.

The appropriate level of care depends on safety, symptom intensity, available support, and clinical needs. A therapist can help determine whether online therapy is appropriate or whether a higher level of care is needed.

A useful question to consider is, "Am I at risk of harming myself, or do I feel unable to stay safe right now?" If the answer is yes, immediate help is needed.

Emergency support may be appropriate when suicidal thoughts include a plan, intent, access to means, inability to stay safe, severe emotional distress, or concern from loved ones that someone may be in danger.

You do not need to wait until you are certain something will happen. If safety is uncertain, seek help immediately.

If you are unable to stay safe, have a suicide plan, believe you may act on suicidal thoughts, or are concerned about immediate danger, seek emergency assistance right away. You can call or text 988 or contact Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 for immediate support.

Reaching out during a suicidal crisis is not overreacting. It is a step toward staying alive and getting through a dangerous moment.