Suicidal Ideation
A desire for relief from unbearable distress.
Suicidal ideation refers to thoughts about wanting to die, wishing to disappear or feeling that life is no longer worth continuing. These thoughts can be fleeting or persistent, passive or detailed — but in all cases, they signal deep emotional pain.
For many people, suicidal thoughts often develop quietly — beneath layers of rejection, failure, responsibility, caregiving, achievement and expectation. Many women continue functioning outwardly while internally carrying overwhelming emotional pain, exhaustion, hopelessness, shame, despair and/or a sense of feeling trapped.
The Impact
Suicidal thoughts are not attention-seeking or dramatic. They are often a signal of profound distress and a nervous system that feels overloaded, trapped or without relief.
When evaluating suicide, these four questions are important:
- Are you having suicidal thoughts?
- Have you created a specific plan to hurt yourself?
- Do you intend to carry out the plan?
- Do you have access to the things you would need to do that?
Suicide Prevention Line
US: 988