The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
We generally only cite government and peer-reviewed studies
Scientific claims and data are backed by qualified sources
Content is updated to ensure we are citing the most up-to-date data and information
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Suicidal thoughts can be scary and overwhelming.Teen suicidal thoughtscan make you feel helpless or hopeless. It might seem like there is no other way out other than to follow through with these negative thoughts. These thoughts do not define who you are. They do not make you weak or crazy. They can be painful to experience, but are manageable with the proper support. If you find yourself having these thoughts, remember there are people who need you. Do not give up because there are many ways to deal with such difficult thoughts.
In this article, we are going to offer guidance on how to deal with suicidal thoughts as a teenager. We will provide strategies to manage these thoughts and begin healing. We will also offer helpful crisis resources for you when you feel overwhelmed. If you need further information, reach out to the team atNexus Teen Academyto discuss getting some help.
Understanding Suicidal Thoughts in Teens
Suicidal thoughts and ideation are distressing and often overwhelming thoughts about taking one’s own life. Suicidal ideation means different things to different people. Some believe that suicidal ideation is just having suicidal thoughts, while others think it involves actively planning to end one’s life. Some teens contemplate death without actively planning for it. Teens with suicidal thoughts do not necessarily want to die. They may experience these thoughts periodically without the intent of taking their own life. For example, you may hope you fall asleep and never wake up again. This is a form of suicidal ideation.
If you are one of those teens, you need to make a plan to overcome these negative thoughts. Suicide might seem like the only way to get over betrayal, pain, or difficulties in your life. However, there is treatment available and better solutions to the problems you are facing. Managing and getting through these difficult and distressing thoughts can help you get a better outlook on life.
Why These Thoughts Happen
Suicidal thoughts can stem from anywhere. They are caused mainly by the following:
Overwhelming sadness caused by depression
Struggles with one’s identity
Traumatic experiences such as assault and bullying
Grief from the loss of a loved one
Academic stress
Family conflict
Socioeconomic struggles
Addiction and substance abuse
Mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and bipolar disorder
Social rejection and betrayal from romantic partners
What to Do If You’re Having Suicidal Thoughts
If you experience suicidal thoughts, there are several things you can do to keep yourself safe. These include the following:
Tell Someone You Trust Right Away
Telling someone you trust might feel daunting. You may think that other people will not understand the struggles you are facing. However, many people are supportive and understanding when it comes to mental health struggles. Do not keep these thoughts and feelings to yourself. When you start having these thoughts, tell someone you trust immediately, such as a parent, friend, or teacher.
Do not let guilt or shame prevent you from asking for help. Asking for help is the first step towards healing. Talking about your thoughts and feelings helps diffuse the situation. It will lift a burden off your shoulders and make you feel better. Remember that people are more supportive than you think. They will support you as you heal if you tell them you are struggling.
Remove Yourself from Immediate Risk
If you were actively planning on taking your own life, remove yourself from immediate risk.
After securing your environment, make a promise to yourself. Promise yourself that you will not harm yourself right now. Although making this commitment might be hard, push through and do it. For example, you can say, “I will not do anything to hurt myself for a week.” This commitment will help diffuse the situation and give you time to cope with negative thoughts without self-harm. Suicidal thoughts usually pass after a while.
Call a Crisis Line or Use Emergency Services
If you are experiencing a crisis, call or text an emergency helpline.988 Lifelineis a 24-hour helpline for teens in crisis. It operates year-round and is manned by caring and empathetic counselors. It aims to give teens with suicidal thoughts someone to talk to. You can call, text, or chat with a counselor by dialing or texting 988. Similarly, you can text HOME to 741741 to reach thecrisis text line. This helpline is a free, round-the-clock helpline for teens in crisis.
Crisis lines are confidential and will not share your information with others. You can also call your local emergency services for help.
Avoid Alcohol and Substance Use
Alcohol and substances make suicidal thoughts even worse. Although they might offer temporary relief, these negative thoughts will come back stronger. If you are having suicidal thoughts, avoid any alcohol or drug use.
Strategies to Cope with Intense Emotions
As a teen, you can use the following strategies to cope with intense emotions:
Grounding and Distraction Exercises
“Be where your feet are.” This statement is an essential grounding technique. It is used to encourage teens to prevent their thoughts from wandering. Suicidal thoughts can make you think about all the issues you have in your life. They make you regret your decisions and wish that things had turned out better.
Grounding helps you rein in these thoughts and think about the present. It enables you to appreciate the present by focusing on the little things. For example, grounding techniques can help you focus on the warmth of the sun hitting your face, the scent of flowers, and the whistling of the wind. These small things often go unappreciated. Focusing on these things will make you calmer and dispel negative thoughts.
An effective grounding technique is the 5-4-3-2-1 method. It involves engaging all five senses to reconnect with the present. You need to do the following when practicing this technique:
5: Sight: Look around you and name five things you can see.
4: Touch: Identify and touch four objects around you. Focus on the objects’ texture and how it feels on your skin.
3: Hearing: Listen and identify five sounds in your vicinity.
2: Smell: Identify two smells in your environment.
1: Taste: Pay attention to one thing you can taste.
Additionally, you can find other activities to distract you from suicidal thoughts. Listening to music or exercising can help distract you from intense emotions. Exercise has the added benefit of releasing endorphins, hormones that reduce physical and emotional pain.
Journaling and Emotional Naming
Journaling has been used for decades to organize and deal with difficult emotions. Journaling is primarily used to “confess” one’s struggles without worrying about facing the consequences. If you are experiencing intense emotions, you can journal to release negative feelings. Writing about how you feel can lift a weight off your shoulders. It unburdens you and makes you feel lighter.
Intense emotions can make your brain feel foggy. This prevents you from adequately addressing your feelings. It clouds your judgment and can make you do impulsive things. When you journal, you get a clearer picture of the situation. You can accurately name emotions and keep a record of your feelings. If you overcome these emotions, journaling helps you record your wins. Having a clear record of difficult emotions and small wins can motivate you in the future. It gives you the strength to deal with suicidal thoughts.
Build a Safety Plan
Suicidal thoughts can easily escalate to attempted suicide. As a result, you should develop a safety plan for when these thoughts become overwhelming. Do not keep this safety plan to yourself. Share it with someone you trust. An effective safety plan usually comprises six main steps. These include the following:
Warning signs: If you are experiencing intense emotions that may escalate to an attempt on your life, you need to recognize the warning signs. Think about what you usually feel when you are feeling extremely overwhelmed. List these thoughts, moods, or patterns to help you remember when you need to use the safety plan.
Internal coping strategies: When you feel overwhelmed, ask yourself, “What can I do on my own to prevent myself from giving in to the urge to take my life?” You should also assess the effectiveness of each coping mechanism. If you are likely to practice a coping mechanism, put it at the top of the list. Add the other coping mechanisms that help you relax in times of crisis.
Contacting people who can distract you from the crisis: List the contact details of people who can distract you during a crisis. This list should contain people you feel comfortable socializing with during such a difficult time. The goal of this step is to distract you from suicidal thoughts.
Asking for help navigating a crisis: If you are experiencing a crisis, contact someone who can help you. This person can be your parent, therapist, or friend. List several people in case some of them are unreachable.
Contacting professional services: If you cannot reach your emergency contacts, contact a professional service like988 Lifeline. Here, you are guaranteed to receive help from compassionate professionals. They will listen to your problems and help you navigate a crisis successfully.
Making the environment safe: During a crisis, you should make your environment safe. Remove items that you can use to harm yourself. In case you have a firearm, remove the magazine and all the bullets. Keep these items separate and lock them in a safe. Lock all other lethal items in a cupboard or cabinet.
Follow each step of the safety plan. If one step cannot diffuse the situation, move to the next one until you can navigate the situation successfully.
Reaching Out for Ongoing Support
Healing is not a linear process. Sometimes, it feels like you are taking one step forward and two steps back. Do not be hard on yourself; it is all part of the process. There will be good days and hard days during your healing process. As a result, you should reach out for ongoing support. On the days you feel overwhelmed, talk to your friends, caregivers, or therapist. They will support you as you heal. You should also celebrate your wins whenever you can. Treat yourself to a nice meal or a sweet treat when you overcome your suicidal thoughts.
Mental Health Support at Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy is a premier mental health treatment facility. It can help you overcome suicidal thoughts, depression, and other mental health conditions. At Nexus Teen Academy, we treat teenagers with compassion. Our team comprises experienced nurses, therapists, and psychiatrists who can help you manage your emotions.
If you need professional help with suicidal ideation,contact Nexus Teen Academytoday. Our team will be happy to help you overcome your struggles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it normal for teens to think about suicide?
Yes. It can be normal to think about suicide, especially when you are experiencing mental health challenges, trauma, or stressful life events. If you are having suicidal thoughts, ask for help from someone you trust, such as a parent, caregiver, therapist, teacher, or friend.
What should I do if I’m scared to tell anyone about how I feel?
It is okay to feel scared of talking about your feelings. However, opening up is the first step towards healing. Do not feel ashamed, embarrassed, or guilty about your thoughts. Talk to someone you trust so that they can support you as you heal.
What if I’ve told someone before, and nothing changed?
If you have told someone about your thoughts, do not give up. Sometimes, the first person may not understand; reach out to people you trust.
Can therapy actually help me feel better?
Yes. Therapy is the primary treatment for suicidal ideation. This means that it has been tried and tested and has proven to be very effective in helping teens with distressing thoughts about suicide.
What if I don’t want to talk to my parents about it?
If you do not want to talk to your parents, reach out to other trusted people, such as a school counselor, teacher, or therapist. You can also talk to professionals on 988 Lifeline.
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC and nexus_admin
How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts as a Teenager
FACT CHECKED
The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
Published By Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Published On November 1, 2025
Table of Contents
Suicidal thoughts can be scary and overwhelming. Teen suicidal thoughts can make you feel helpless or hopeless. It might seem like there is no other way out other than to follow through with these negative thoughts. These thoughts do not define who you are. They do not make you weak or crazy. They can be painful to experience, but are manageable with the proper support. If you find yourself having these thoughts, remember there are people who need you. Do not give up because there are many ways to deal with such difficult thoughts.
In this article, we are going to offer guidance on how to deal with suicidal thoughts as a teenager. We will provide strategies to manage these thoughts and begin healing. We will also offer helpful crisis resources for you when you feel overwhelmed. If you need further information, reach out to the team at Nexus Teen Academy to discuss getting some help.
Understanding Suicidal Thoughts in Teens
Suicidal thoughts and ideation are distressing and often overwhelming thoughts about taking one’s own life. Suicidal ideation means different things to different people. Some believe that suicidal ideation is just having suicidal thoughts, while others think it involves actively planning to end one’s life. Some teens contemplate death without actively planning for it. Teens with suicidal thoughts do not necessarily want to die. They may experience these thoughts periodically without the intent of taking their own life. For example, you may hope you fall asleep and never wake up again. This is a form of suicidal ideation.
If you are one of those teens, you need to make a plan to overcome these negative thoughts. Suicide might seem like the only way to get over betrayal, pain, or difficulties in your life. However, there is treatment available and better solutions to the problems you are facing. Managing and getting through these difficult and distressing thoughts can help you get a better outlook on life.
Why These Thoughts Happen
Suicidal thoughts can stem from anywhere. They are caused mainly by the following:
What to Do If You’re Having Suicidal Thoughts
If you experience suicidal thoughts, there are several things you can do to keep yourself safe. These include the following:
Tell Someone You Trust Right Away
Telling someone you trust might feel daunting. You may think that other people will not understand the struggles you are facing. However, many people are supportive and understanding when it comes to mental health struggles. Do not keep these thoughts and feelings to yourself. When you start having these thoughts, tell someone you trust immediately, such as a parent, friend, or teacher.
Do not let guilt or shame prevent you from asking for help. Asking for help is the first step towards healing. Talking about your thoughts and feelings helps diffuse the situation. It will lift a burden off your shoulders and make you feel better. Remember that people are more supportive than you think. They will support you as you heal if you tell them you are struggling.
Remove Yourself from Immediate Risk
If you were actively planning on taking your own life, remove yourself from immediate risk.
After securing your environment, make a promise to yourself. Promise yourself that you will not harm yourself right now. Although making this commitment might be hard, push through and do it. For example, you can say, “I will not do anything to hurt myself for a week.” This commitment will help diffuse the situation and give you time to cope with negative thoughts without self-harm. Suicidal thoughts usually pass after a while.
Call a Crisis Line or Use Emergency Services
If you are experiencing a crisis, call or text an emergency helpline. 988 Lifeline is a 24-hour helpline for teens in crisis. It operates year-round and is manned by caring and empathetic counselors. It aims to give teens with suicidal thoughts someone to talk to. You can call, text, or chat with a counselor by dialing or texting 988. Similarly, you can text HOME to 741741 to reach the crisis text line. This helpline is a free, round-the-clock helpline for teens in crisis.
Crisis lines are confidential and will not share your information with others. You can also call your local emergency services for help.
Avoid Alcohol and Substance Use
Alcohol and substances make suicidal thoughts even worse. Although they might offer temporary relief, these negative thoughts will come back stronger. If you are having suicidal thoughts, avoid any alcohol or drug use.
Strategies to Cope with Intense Emotions
As a teen, you can use the following strategies to cope with intense emotions:
Grounding and Distraction Exercises
“Be where your feet are.” This statement is an essential grounding technique. It is used to encourage teens to prevent their thoughts from wandering. Suicidal thoughts can make you think about all the issues you have in your life. They make you regret your decisions and wish that things had turned out better.
Grounding helps you rein in these thoughts and think about the present. It enables you to appreciate the present by focusing on the little things. For example, grounding techniques can help you focus on the warmth of the sun hitting your face, the scent of flowers, and the whistling of the wind. These small things often go unappreciated. Focusing on these things will make you calmer and dispel negative thoughts.
An effective grounding technique is the 5-4-3-2-1 method. It involves engaging all five senses to reconnect with the present. You need to do the following when practicing this technique:
Additionally, you can find other activities to distract you from suicidal thoughts. Listening to music or exercising can help distract you from intense emotions. Exercise has the added benefit of releasing endorphins, hormones that reduce physical and emotional pain.
Journaling and Emotional Naming
Journaling has been used for decades to organize and deal with difficult emotions. Journaling is primarily used to “confess” one’s struggles without worrying about facing the consequences. If you are experiencing intense emotions, you can journal to release negative feelings. Writing about how you feel can lift a weight off your shoulders. It unburdens you and makes you feel lighter.
Intense emotions can make your brain feel foggy. This prevents you from adequately addressing your feelings. It clouds your judgment and can make you do impulsive things. When you journal, you get a clearer picture of the situation. You can accurately name emotions and keep a record of your feelings. If you overcome these emotions, journaling helps you record your wins. Having a clear record of difficult emotions and small wins can motivate you in the future. It gives you the strength to deal with suicidal thoughts.
Build a Safety Plan
Suicidal thoughts can easily escalate to attempted suicide. As a result, you should develop a safety plan for when these thoughts become overwhelming. Do not keep this safety plan to yourself. Share it with someone you trust. An effective safety plan usually comprises six main steps. These include the following:
Follow each step of the safety plan. If one step cannot diffuse the situation, move to the next one until you can navigate the situation successfully.
Reaching Out for Ongoing Support
Healing is not a linear process. Sometimes, it feels like you are taking one step forward and two steps back. Do not be hard on yourself; it is all part of the process. There will be good days and hard days during your healing process. As a result, you should reach out for ongoing support. On the days you feel overwhelmed, talk to your friends, caregivers, or therapist. They will support you as you heal. You should also celebrate your wins whenever you can. Treat yourself to a nice meal or a sweet treat when you overcome your suicidal thoughts.
Mental Health Support at Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy is a premier mental health treatment facility. It can help you overcome suicidal thoughts, depression, and other mental health conditions. At Nexus Teen Academy, we treat teenagers with compassion. Our team comprises experienced nurses, therapists, and psychiatrists who can help you manage your emotions.
Nexus Teen Academy uses evidence-based interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy to help teens with suicidal thoughts. We also use holistic approaches like art, yoga, and music therapy to equip teens with the skills to manage their emotions.
If you need professional help with suicidal ideation, contact Nexus Teen Academy today. Our team will be happy to help you overcome your struggles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. It can be normal to think about suicide, especially when you are experiencing mental health challenges, trauma, or stressful life events. If you are having suicidal thoughts, ask for help from someone you trust, such as a parent, caregiver, therapist, teacher, or friend.
It is okay to feel scared of talking about your feelings. However, opening up is the first step towards healing. Do not feel ashamed, embarrassed, or guilty about your thoughts. Talk to someone you trust so that they can support you as you heal.
If you have told someone about your thoughts, do not give up. Sometimes, the first person may not understand; reach out to people you trust.
Yes. Therapy is the primary treatment for suicidal ideation. This means that it has been tried and tested and has proven to be very effective in helping teens with distressing thoughts about suicide.
If you do not want to talk to your parents, reach out to other trusted people, such as a school counselor, teacher, or therapist. You can also talk to professionals on 988 Lifeline.