Self-Injury
If your friend is in immediate danger, call local emergency services immediately. Don't wait.
It can be very hard to know what to say to someone who's told you that they're considering suicide, or who seems to be thinking about it but may not have told you directly.
Encouraging your friend to talk about what they're going through can be one of the most helpful things you can do for them. Being a good listener, and giving them the space they need to talk is important, as is following up with them regularly. You also can help by getting them to someone else they can trust, like a health care professional or another friend.
We've worked with suicide prevention experts to understand the best ways to support a person who's having suicidal thoughts. This list is informed by the work that Forefront: Innovations in Suicide Prevention has done on suicide prevention.
Here's what you can do:
- Look for warning signs: Your friend might say things like “I want to disappear” or “I want to end this.” They may indicate that they're feeling hopeless and helpless, or suggest that they're a burden to others. They may have lost interest in the things that they usually do, or they may be acting impulsively.
- Empathize and listen: Give them your full attention. Try not to offer solutions or to convince them that things will get better; what they need most at this point is to feel heard. Help them to feel understood and don't judge them. Try asking open-ended questions that will get them talking about how they're feeling, like “I know you're going through a lot right now. Can we talk? I'd like to hear how you're feeling.”
- Ask about suicide: By asking clearly and directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” you show that you care and that you've heard how much distress they're in. You aren't increasing the risk of someone killing themselves by asking directly. If they say, “Yes, I'm thinking about suicide,” don't panic. Tell them how much courage it took them to tell you that, and continue the conversation. Encouraging them to talk about what they're going through can reduce their feelings of isolation.
- Remove the danger: If they say that they're thinking about suicide, ask them if they have a plan. If they say yes, ask whether they have access to means, like drugs, a weapon or rope. It's important to do your best to get these items away from them, or to have other friends, or law enforcement, step in to help.
Help them get to the next level of care. Talking to your friend or family member is important, and you also might want to connect them with a counselor, health care professional or a helpline.
You may have seen a post on Instagram that worries you. If so, you can let us know about it by reporting the post and we may send some resources that we've developed with suicide prevention experts to the person. They won't know that you reported their post. In some cases, we may contact emergency services if they seem to be in immediate danger.
Caring for someone who is considering suicide can be very hard. Be sure to take care of yourself while you're going through this, and reach out to friends or health care professionals who can support you.
If you're in immediate physical danger, please contact local emergency services. If you're going through something difficult and the threat isn't immediate, we want you to know there are things you can do right now that may help you:
- Talk to someone at a helpline.
- Reach out to someone you trust. Contact someone you trust, like a family member, friend, counselor or teacher, and ask them to let you share what’s on your mind. For example, you could say, "I'm going through something difficult and was hoping to talk to you about it. If that's OK with you, can you take some time to listen?"
If you see posts that trigger you
This guidance is informed by the work that Orygen, The National Center of Excellence in Youth Mental Health has done on suicide prevention and taken from their resource ‘A Young Person’s Guide for Communicating Safely Online About Suicide’.
If you have a "Safety Plan", you can use the strategies outlined in it to help keep yourself safe. A “Safety Plan” is a structured plan that has been developed with support from a health professional. It outlines actions, coping strategies, and supportive people that could assist you when you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, feelings or behavior.
It’s important to have a plan in place in case you do feel upset or troubled by posts that you have shared yourself or seen from others. If you are feeling upset or overwhelmed by content you have seen, there are a few things that you could try:
- Talk to someone about how you are feeling.
- Take a break. This might include physically stepping away from social media for a while, logging out or engaging in a different activity.
- Take control of the content that you see. For example, if you are going through a rough patch, you may want to minimize the amount of suicide-related content you are exposed to by unfollowing accounts that may cause you distress.
I want to share my feelings about suicide or self-injury
There may be times where you want to share your own experience with suicidal thoughts, feelings or behavior with your friends online. If you are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviors you should talk to a trusted adult or friend or reach out to a professional mental health service or, if you need urgent help, contact your local emergency room by phone or go to the hospital for assistance.
Before you do post about suicide, take some time to think about why you want to share this post, how sharing it will make you feel, and remember that posts can be hard to take back. Also reflect on how your post could affect other people and whether or not there is a different way to communicate this information that is safer or more helpful.
- Graphic or descriptive content can be harmful or distressing for others, so it is best avoided. In some cases, this content may be removed or marked as sensitive. However, if your post does include this type of content, you should consider providing a trigger warning at the top of your post. You can also include phone numbers or links to appropriate help services, such as helplines, local suicide prevention services or local emergency services.
- It can also be helpful to emphasize parts of your experience that demonstrate the importance of seeking help early and messages that reduce stigma and promote hope and recovery. Some examples include:
- The people, activities and actions that supported your recovery and how you coped.
- The positive experiences you had when seeking help.
- Finally, it may be helpful to monitor your post. If you come across unsafe or harmful responses, try to avoid arguing with other users in the comments section. Instead you could consider deleting the user’s comment or filtering words or phrases. Learn more about Instagram’s safety tools to help control your experience.
You can also read Orygen's full guides made for specific locations:
Suicide hotlines provide help to those in need. Contact a hotline if you need support yourself or need help supporting a friend. If you're concerned about a friend, please encourage the person to contact a hotline as well.
- Worldwide
- Befrienders Worldwide
- http://www.befrienders.org/
- United States
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- (800) 950-6264
- SMS: Text NAMI at 741741
- Veterans Crisis Line
- For veterans
- (800) 273-8255
- Disaster Distress Helpline
- (800) 985-5990
- SMS: Text TalkWithUs at 66746
- National Eating Disorders Association
- https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
- http://m.me/NationalEatingDisordersAssociation
- (800) 931-2237
- info@myneda.org
- Crisis Text Line
- SMS: Text HERE at 741741
- The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ youth, friends and family members)
- (866) 488-7386
- SMS: Text Start at 678678
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- (888) 628-9454
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
- https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
- (800) 985-5990
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
- SMS: Text Hablanos at 66746
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
- SMS: Text TalkWithUs at 66746
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- (800) 273-8255
- Canada
- Kids Help Phone (for youth under 20)
- For youth
- (800) 668-6868
- United Kingdom
- CALM
- 5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
- https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/get-help/
- 0800 585858
- Beat Eating Disorders
- https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
- 0845 634 1414
- help@b-eat.co.uk
- Samaritans
- 116123
- jo@samaritans.org
- Shout Text Messaging Support Service
- 24/7
- https://giveusashout.org/get-help/
- SMS: Text them at 85258
- Beat Eating Disorders (Youth Line)
- 0845 634 7650
- PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide HOPELineUK
- For youth
- Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holidays 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- 0800 068 4141
- SMS: Text them at 07786 209697
- pat@papyrus-uk.org
- Ireland
- Jigsaw
- For youth
- info@jigsaw.ie
- Jigsaw – the National Center for Youth Mental Health
- For youth
- (01) 472 7010
- Samaritans
- 116123
- Pieta House
- 1800 247 247
- SMS: Text HELP at 51444
- mary@pieta.ie
- SpunOut.ie
- http://spunout.ie/
- SMS: Text FACEBOOK at 086 180 0280
- Germany
- Nummer gegen Kummer
- 0800 1110550
- 0800 1110333
- Telefonseelsorge
- https://www.telefonseelsorge.de/
- 0800 1110111
- 0800 1110222
- Argentina
- Entrenadores de Vida
- https://www.facebook.com/suicidologiaargentina/
- Australia
- The Butterfly Foundation (Eating Disorders)
- Monday-Friday, 8 AM-12 AM AEST
- https://butterfly.org.au/
- 1800 334 673
- support@butterfly.org.au
- Lifeline
- http://www.lifeline.org.au/
- 13 11 14
- beyondblue
- Online chat between 3:00 PM - 12:00 PM
- http://bb.org.au/1lmergR
- 1300 224 636
- headspace
- For youth
- http://headspace.org.au/
- Kids Helpline
- For youth
- 1800 551 800
- Austria
- Rat auf Draht
- +43147
- TelefonSeelsorge – Notruf 142
- https://onlineberatung-telefonseelsorge.at/
- http://www.telefonseelsorge.at/
- 142
- Bangladesh
- Kaan Pete Roi
- 01688-709965
- Moner Bondhu
- http://monerbondhu.org/
- 01776-632344
- National Institute of Mental Health and Hospital
- https://nimhbd.com/
- +88014000080
- +88014000081
- Belgium
- Centre de Prévention du Suicide
- http://www.preventionsuicide.be/
- 0800 32 123
- Centrum Ter Preventie Van Zelfdoding
- http://www.zelfmoord1813.be/
- +321813
- Botswana
- Fair Trading Music Therapy of Botswana
- https://www.facebook.com/Fair-Trading-Music-Therapy-of-Botswana-FTMTB-100791688178231/
- 75 527 590
- Brazil
- Centro de Valorização da Vida (CVV)
- http://www.cvv.org.br/chat
- +55188
- atendimento@cvv.org.br
- Bulgaria
- iCALL Psychosocial Dedicated COVID Helpline
- 9152987820
- Национална телефонна линия за деца
- For youth
- 116111
- Chile
- Todo Mejora
- https://todomejora.org/apoyo/
- Colombia
- Fundacion Sergio Urrego
- https://sergiourrego.org/
- Costa Rica
- Colegio de Profesionales en Psicología de Costa Rica
- https://juntosnospodemoscuidar.psicologiacr.com/
- https://www.instagram.com/cppcr/
- https://www.facebook.com/ColegioProfesionalesPsicologiaCR/
- Croatia
- HRABRI Telefon
- Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- +116111
- Czech Republic
- Linka důvěry DKC
- 241 484 149
- Linka duševní tísně Most
- 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- 476 701 444
- Linka důvěry Ostrava
- 596 618 908
- 737 267 939
- Linka bezpečí
- +420116111
- Pražská linka důvěry
- 222 580 697
- Denmark
- BørneTelefonen
- Daily 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- +45116111
- Livslinien
- Daily 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- 70 20 12 01
- Egypt
- Middle Eastern Eating Disorder Association
- https://www.meeda.me/
- info@meeda.me
- Estonia
- MTÜ Peaasjad
- http://peaasi.ee/kysi-noustajalt/
- Fiji
- Lifeline
- https://www.lifelinefiji.com/
- 13245424
- Finland
- MIELI Suomen Mielenterveys
- https://mieli.fi/fi
- 09 41350510
- France
- Net Ecoute (service d’assistance téléphonique pour les adolescents)
- For youth
- http://www.netecoute.fr/
- 0 800 20 00 00
- S.O.S Amitié
- http://www.sos-amitie.com/
- 09 72 39 40 50
- Ghana
- WABHARM foundation
- https://www.wabharmghana.com/
- 030 285 3474
- 024 616 1793
- info@wabharmghana.com
- Национална телефонна линия за деца
- 116111
- Greece
- Suicide Prevention Centre Klimaka NGO
- https://www.klimaka.org.gr/
- 1018
- Hamogelo
- For youth
- https://www.hamogelo.gr/gr/el/paidia-thimata-vias:sos-1056/
- 1056
- Hong Kong
- The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong (香港撒瑪利亞防止自殺會)
- 2389 2222
- soulbox@sbhk.org.hk
- OpenUp HK
- https://www.openup.hk/chat_login.htm
- https://www.openup.hk/
- 9101 2012
- SMS: Text them at 9101 2012
- The Samaritans Hong Kong (香港撒瑪利亞會)
- 2896 0000
- Hungary
- Kek Vonal
- 116111
- LESZ
- https://sos116-123.hu/
- 116123
- sos@sos505.hu
- Iceland
- Rauði krossinn - Red Cross
- +1717
- India
- iCALL Psychosocial Dedicated COVID Helpline
- 091529 87820
- Samaritans Mumbai
- 084229 84528
- 084229 84529
- 084229 84530
- talk2samaritans@gmail.com
- iCALL Psychosocial Helpline
- 093720 48501
- 099202 41248
- 083697 99513
- icall@tiss.edu
- Israel
- Italy
- Telefono Amico
- http://www2.telefonoamico.it/
- 02 2327 2327
- Telefono Rosa
- https://www.telefonorosa.it/
- 06 3751 8282
- 06 3751 8261
- 06 3751 8262
- Telefono Azzurro
- For youth
- https://azzurro.it/
- 19696
- Japan
- 厚生労働省のSNS相談窓口情報
- https://www.mhlw.go.jp/mamorouyokokoro/soudan/sns/
- 東京自殺防止センター
- 03-5286-9090
- いのちの電話
- Navi Dial 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- https://www.inochinodenwa.org/lifeline.php
- 0570-783-556
- こころの健康相談統一ダイヤル
- 0570-064-556
- TELL Tokyo English Lifeline
- 03-5774-0992
- 厚生労働省の「まもろうよ こころ」
- https://www.mhlw.go.jp/mamorouyokokoro/
- Kenya
- Befrienders Kenya
- 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- https://www.befrienderskenya.org/
- 0722 178177
- SMS: Text them at 0722 178177
- SMS: Text them at 0736 542304
- befrienderskenya@gmail.com
- Childline Kenya
- https://www.childlinekenya.co.ke/
- 116
- 0724 555251
- 0732 263554
- 116@childlinekenya.co.ke
- Kuwait
- Middle Eastern Eating Disorder Association
- https://www.meeda.me/
- info@meeda.me
- Latvia
- Skalbes
- 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- 67 222 922
- 27 722 292
- Lebanon
- Embrace Lifeline
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 AM
- 1564
- info@embracelebanon.org
- Middle Eastern Eating Disorder Association
- https://www.meeda.me/
- info@meeda.me
- Lithuania
- Vaikų Linija (Child line)
- For youth
- +370116111
- Pagalbos Moterims Linija
- For women
- 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- 8 800 66 366
- pagalba@moteriai.lt
- Linija Doverija (Trust line)
- Monday - Friday 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- 8 800 77 277
- Vilties Linija (Hope line)
- 116123
- vilties.linija@gmail.com
- Jaunimo Linija (Youth line)
- For youth
- 8 800 28 888
- Sidabriné Linija
- https://www.sidabrinelinija.lt/
- 8 800 80 020
- Luxembourg
- SOS Détresse – Mir hëllefen iwwer Telefon an online
- 45 45 45
- Kanner-Jugendtelefon
- For youth
- +352116111
- Malaysia
- Befrienders KL
- 03-7956 8145
- sam@befrienders.org.my
- Mauritius
- Befrienders Mauritius
- 800 9393
- adminofficer.befrienders@gmail.com
- Mexico
- Consejo Ciudadano
- 55 5533 5533
- Comenzar de Nuevo
- http://comenzardenuevo.org/helpline/
- 81 1340 0275
- ayuda@comenzardenuevo.net
- Instituto Hispanoamericano de Suicidologia, A.C
- 55 4631 3300
- info@suicidiologia.com.mx
- Todo Mejora Mexico
- For LGBTQ youth, friends and family members
- https://itgetsbetter.org/mexico/buscaayuda/
- http://m.me/ItGetsBetterMx
- Morocco
- Sourire de Reda
- https://www.stopsilence.net/
- 05228-74740
- contact.sourire2reda@gmail.com
- Nepal
- Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention Center
- 24 hours
- 16600122223
- info@mhpspc.org.np
- Koshish National Mental Health Self Help Organization
- +977 16603352011
- Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital
- +9774420869
- 984-0021600
- Netherlands
- 113
- https://www.113.nl/
- 113
- 0800 0113
- New Zealand
- National Helpline
- https://1737.org.nz/
- 1737
- SMS: Text them at 1737
- Lifeline Aotearoa's Suicide Prevention Helpline
- 0800 888 880
- Lifeline Aotearoa's Suicide Prevention Helpline
- 0508 828 865
- Youthline
- For youth
- 0800 376 633
- SMS: Text them at 234
- talk@youthline.co.nz
- Nigeria
- Mentally Aware Nigeria (MANI)
- 0806 488 8643
- 0903 241 9184
- 0813 677 0508
- Nigeria Suicide Prevention Initiative - NSPI
- 0806 210 6493
- sspinitiative@gmail.com
- Norway
- Kirkens SOS
- http://www.soschat.no/chat
- 22 40 00 40
- Mental Helse Hjelpetelefonen
- 116123
- Sidetmedord.no
- http://www.sidetmedord.no/
- Pakistan
- Rozan Counseling Helpline
- 0335 5000401
- 0335 5000402
- 05 50 00 04 03
- Umang Pakistan
- https://www.umang.com.pk/
- 0311 7786264
- Poland
- Telefon Zaufania dla Dzieci i Młodzieży
- For youth
- http://www.116111.pl/napisz
- +48116111
- Telefon dla Rodziców i Nauczycieli
- http://www.116111.pl/napisz
- https://116111.pl/
- 116 111
- Portugal
- SOS VOZ AMIGA
- 4:00 PM - 12:00 PM
- 21 354 4545
- 912 802 669
- 963 524 660
- Qatar
- Middle Eastern Eating Disorder Association
- https://www.meeda.me/
- info@meeda.me
- Romania
- Alianta Romana de Preventie a Suicidului
- 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM
- 0800 801 200
- sos@antisuicid.com
- Russia
- Your Territory
- For youth
- +88002000122
- tvoya_territoria@mail.ru
- Serbia
- Centar Srce
- 0800 300303
- vanja@centarsrce.org
- Singapore
- Mental Health Helpline
- 6389 2222
- National CARE Hotline
- 1800 202 6868
- CPH Online Counselling
- https://www.CPHonlineCounselling.sg/
- Samaritans of Singapore (新加坡援人協會)
- 1800 221 4444
- pat@samaritans.org.sg
- Slovakia
- Liga za duševné zdravie (pre dospelých)
- For adults
- 0800 800 566
- Linka detskej dôvery
- https://www.linkadeti.sk/domov
- 0907 401 749
- odkazy@linkadeti.sk
- Linka detskej istoty, n. o. / Child Safety Line, NGO
- For youth
- http://www.ldi.sk/
- 116000
- IPčko
- 042/261 79 11
- ipcko@ipcko.sk
- Linka dôvery (linka krízovej intervencie pre dospelých)
- For adults
- Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM, Saturday - Sunday 24 hours
- 055/622 23 23
- Linka nádeje (linka krízovej intervencie pre dospelých)
- For adults
- Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM, Saturday - Sunday 24 hour
- 055/644 11 55
- South Africa
- The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG)
- 080 021 2223
- SADAG
- 080 070 8090
- 080 045 6789
- SMS: Text them at 31393
- South Korea
- 중앙자살예방센터(Korea Suicide Prevention Center)
- 02-2203-0053
- spc@spckorea.or.kr
- 정신건강복지센터 정신건강위기상담전화(Mental Health Center Crisis Counseling)
- 1577-0199
- Spain
- Teléfono de la Esperanza
- 717 00 37 17
- Sri Lanka
- CCCLine
- http://cccfoundation.org.au/cccline/
- 1333
- Sumithrayo
- https://srilankasumithrayo.lk/
- 0112 682 535
- National Institute of Mental Health
- http://nimh.health.gov.lk/en/
- 1926
- Sweden
- MIND Självmordslinjen
- https://mind.se/sjalvmordslinjen/
- https://mind.se/hitta-hjalp/sjalvmordslinjen/
- 90101
- MIND Äldrelinjen (for the elderly)
- https://mind.se/hitta-hjalp/aldrelinjen/
- 020-22 22 33
- Switzerland
- Tel 143
- https://www.143.ch/Beratung/Chat-Kontakt
- +41143
- Taiwan
- Teacher Chang
- http://bit.ly/2MX5Rqa
- 080 078 1980
- Relief Line
- 080 078 1925
- iCALL Psychosocial Helpline
- 9372048501
- 9920241248
- 8369799513
- icall@tiss.edu
- Thailand
- The Samaritans of Thailand
- 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
- http://m.me/Samaritans.Thailand
- 02 713 6793
- 053 225 977
- Ukraine
- Lifeline Ukraine
- https://www.LifelineUkraine.com/
- 91012012
- help@lifelineukraine.com
- La Strada Ukraine
- 0800 500 335
- 116123
- National Child Toll-Free Hotline
- For youth
- Monday - Friday 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Saturday 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- 0800 500 225
- 116111
- Dovira
- 1558
- 096 000 1558
- dovira-1558@ukr.net
- United Arab Emirates
- Middle Eastern Eating Disorder Association
- https://www.meeda.me/
- info@meeda.me
If someone you know is in immediate physical danger, contact 911 or a suicide hotline immediately. Please explain to law enforcement that this is a member of their community so they can provide custom support.
We also ask that you report the content to us so we can reach out to this person with information that may be helpful to them:
- Tap
(iPhone) or
(Android) below the post
- Tap Report, then tap It's inappropriate
- Select Self injury
You can also share resources:
- Trained helpers at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are online right now. All conversations are confidential and free. Call them at 1-800-273-8255 or start a chat.
- SafeCallNow.org is an excellent resource for public safety employees to speak confidentially with other public safety professionals.
- Download our Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention Guide.
Learn about other resources and tips for providing support.
If a friend or family member is planning suicide or you've seen a direct threat of suicide on Instagram, please contact your local emergency services or a suicide hotline immediately. We also ask that you tell us if you see something that suggests suicide or self-injury on Instagram.
The Veterans Crisis Line provides customized support to members of the military community, including veterans, active duty service members and their families. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
You can contact them by:
- Calling their toll-free hotline at 1-800-273-8255 and press 1
- Visiting http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ to chat online
- Sending a text message to 838255
Additional resources available to the military community include:
- The Wounded Warrior Project Restore Warriors (TM) provides support for veterans and families who are dealing with combat stress, PTSD or TBI.
- TAPS: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors provides support for families and loved ones who have lost someone who was in the military service.
If you've encountered a direct threat of suicide on Instagram, please contact law enforcement or a suicide hotline immediately.
The Trevor Project specializes in suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth and offers a lifeline that people in the US can contact by calling 1-866-488-7386 or texting START to 678678. The Trevor Project also offers resources for concerned friends and family members of LGBTQ youth. Learn more about The Trevor Project on their website: http://www.thetrevorproject.org/.