September 9, 2026- Suicide ideation is when a person is considering ending their life that can result in death if not
recognized and controlled. It can occur in a person from any background and in persons both
young and old. Females have suicide ideation at a higher percentage than males but males at a higher percentage commit actual suicide. It occurs typically with persons with chronic physical illness and mental health conditions such as depression, severe anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, and schizophrenia. Prior suicide attempts also are common with persons with suicide ideation. Manifestations can range from periodic suicidal thoughts to suicidal thoughts with very specific ways to kill themselves such as with a gun, pills/medications, poison, hanging, asphyxiation, cutting veins or jumping off a building or cliff. Treatment includes risk assessment and interventions to ensure safety in life preservation. This can include therapy, medication and impatient hospitalization. Persons seeking support having strong suicidal feelings that they may act on can call 911, go to the local hospital emergency room or call or text 988 which is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free 24/7 service. Sadly, many of us know persons who have committed suicide we had no idea they were suicidal when it occurred. This is why it is important that we try to make ourselves available to talk to people we care for if we may have any idea they are in poor mental health and considering suicide. They could help stop those having suicide ideation leading to an actual suicide. Suicide ideation is something to take seriously when you consider there were 48,824 deaths by suicide that occurred in the last year we have data in 2024. In 2025, 51% of youth under 18 reported frequent suicide ideation. Typical feelings persons have who commit suicide include hopelessness, shame, loaded with guilt, belief they have no other choice, believing they are a burden to others and the world would be better without them. They often have severe physical and mental pain. Things to look for if you have concerns for a loved one having suicide ideation would be buying a gun or weapon of any kind, talking of the futility of their life, making in effect final calls to friends and family, saying things that could relate to their considering suicide, drinking too much alcohol or abusing other drugs, and sometimes a final calmness out of character with how they have been behaving Indicating they have finally made the decision to advance suicide ideation to actual suicide.