If you are thinking about suicide, you do not need to solve your entire life today. Your first task is to stay safe through this moment.

Depression is a mood disorder that can affect emotions, thoughts, energy, sleep, appetite, motivation, and daily functioning. Suicidal thoughts are thoughts about death, not wanting to live, or ending one’s life. They can range from passive thoughts such as “I wish I would not wake up” to active thoughts involving intent, planning, or preparation.

Suicidal thoughts can occur with depression, trauma, grief, substance use, chronic pain, relationship loss, financial strain, or an overwhelming crisis. They should always be taken seriously, especially when a person has developed a plan, has access to lethal means, feels unable to control the impulse, or believes suicide is imminent.

What happens inside a person?

Severe emotional distress can produce cognitive constriction: the brain becomes narrowly focused on pain, hopelessness, and escape. Depression may reduce access to memories of connection, competence, and previous recovery. A temporary crisis can begin to feel permanent—not because no alternatives exist, but because the distressed brain is having difficulty seeing them.

What should you do?

1. Create immediate distance from anything you could use to harm yourself. Ask someone you trust to secure firearms, medications, or other lethal means.
2. Do not remain alone. Tell someone directly, “I am having suicidal thoughts, and I need you to stay with me.”
3. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. If you have a plan, intend to act, have begun an attempt, or cannot maintain your safety, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
4. Delay action and narrow the timeframe. Commit to staying safe for the next ten minutes, then repeat. Use cold water, paced breathing, grounding, walking, or a familiar sensory activity while support is being arranged.
5. Develop a written safety plan with a mental health professional. Include warning signs, internal coping strategies, supportive contacts, professional resources, and steps for reducing access to lethal means.

Coping skills can lower immediate emotional intensity, but they are not a substitute for crisis intervention or professional treatment. Once immediate safety is established, counseling can address depression, hopelessness, trauma, grief, and the circumstances contributing to the crisis.

A New Start Counseling offers virtual counseling anywhere in Texas and in-person counseling in San Antonio. For non-emergency counseling support, call 210.705.1749 or complete our contact card online.