Help someone you’re worried about

988 is here to help when you’re worried about someone else. We can connect you to resources that might be helpful to your friends and family. We help you recognize warning signs that someone you’re worried may be talking about suicide or needs immediate help. 
Get free & confidential help
Call or text 988
quotation mark It has saved someone's life and more people should know it."
- 988 caller

Know the suicide warning signs

You may not always know when someone is thinking of suicide. Reaching out to them when you feel something is “off” can make a difference and even save their life. You can always call or text 988 for help if you're worried about someone and not sure what to do.

People who are considering suicide may show signs that they are thinking about or planning to attempt suicide. These are known as warning signs of suicide.

Things someone may say or think

  • Talking or thinking about wanting to die, “killing themselves,” or suicide
  • Mentioning ways to end their life or making specific plans to do so
  • Thinking or talking about feeling empty, alone, or “over it”
  • Saying people in their life would be better off without them

Ways someone may feel

  • Extremely anxious, agitated, irritable, or angry
  • Persistently sad or depressed
  • Up and down in their moods
  • Hopeless, trapped, or without purpose
  • Like a burden to others
  • Numb or not interested in the parts of life they usually enjoy

Things someone may do

  • Say goodbye to friends and family
  • Sleep less—or a lot more—than usual
  • Eat much less—or a lot more—than usual
  • Withdraw from people or social activities
  • Stop taking care of their personal hygiene
  • Increase their use of alcohol or drugs
  • Act recklessly
  • Give away prized possessions
  • Have big changes in their usual behavior

Learn more about how 988 can help you find

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Man asking for help

Reasons to call:

1
Problems in relationships, work, or school.
2
Feeling lonely.
3
Your child is struggling.
4
Concerns about money.
5
Stress.
6
Don't want to talk to your family or friends about how you're feeling.
7
Thoughts of suicide.
8
Feeling numb inside and don't seem to care about anything anymore.
9
Worried about someone else.
10
Feeling like you're doing your best, but life isn't going as planned.
11
Having a hard time making friends.
12
Feeling like you aren't able to go about daily tasks (like caring for your personal hygiene or changing your clothes).
13
Isolating yourself from loved ones, coworkers, classmates, and others.
14
Sudden mood swings, such as suddenly happy or calm after feeling sad or depressed.
15
Can't figure out what to do next in a situation.
16
Loss or grief.
17
Child or teenager won't calm down.
18
LGBTQ-related challenges.
19
Depression or anxiety.
20
Emotional or mental health challenges.
21
Drug or alcohol problems.
22
Family issues.
23
Having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else.
Call or text 988

Encourage someone to create a safety plan: 

A safety plan can help someone get through a crisis safely. It includes step-by-step instructions the person can follow to stay connected to people and resources that will be helpful in their time of need. 

Studies show safety plans have made a significant difference to people who have used them. You can help by encouraging your loved one to work with a trained crisis worker at 988 to create their own safety plan.

Download safety plan

Is your loved one experiencing something else?

We are here to listen, support, and guide you through whatever challenges you’re facing. While 988 provides a wide range of assistance, there may be times when your situation requires specialized care. In those instances, we will connect you with trusted resources and professionals who are specially trained to provide the support and expertise you need to move forward.

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More help is available

If you don’t need to talk to someone today but would still like to find additional support, Live On Utah is here to help. Browse their collection of resources specifically for Utahns who are parents, veterans, faith leaders, Latino, LGBTQIA+, firearm owners, and more.

Learn more
Suicide prevention ambassador