If You're Here Because You Want to Die, Please Read This First

You are not alone. This pain can change.

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Your country is first. Other countries are below, by region:

United States

In danger right now? Call 911

Americas

Brazil

In danger right now? Call 192

Canada

In danger right now? Call 911

Mexico

In danger right now? Call 911

Europe

Belgium

In danger right now? Call 112

France

In danger right now? Call 112

Germany

In danger right now? Call 112

Ireland

In danger right now? Call 112

Italy

In danger right now? Call 112

Netherlands

In danger right now? Call 112

Spain

In danger right now? Call 112

Sweden

In danger right now? Call 112

Switzerland

In danger right now? Call 144

United Kingdom

In danger right now? Call 999

Asia-Pacific

Australia

In danger right now? Call 000

Bangladesh

In danger right now? Call 999

Brunei

In danger right now? Call 991

Hong Kong

In danger right now? Call 999

India

In danger right now? Call 112

Indonesia

In danger right now? Call 112

Japan

In danger right now? Call 119

Mainland China

  • 12356 Psychological Assistance Hotline (12356心理援助热线)

    Call 12356
    Open
    Hours vary by province (24 hours in Beijing)
    Languages
    Mandarin

    Website (opens in a new tab) · Checked 25 October 2026

In danger right now? Call 120

Malaysia

In danger right now? Call 999

New Zealand

In danger right now? Call 111

Pakistan

In danger right now? Call 1122

Philippines

In danger right now? Call 911

Singapore

In danger right now? Call 995

South Korea

In danger right now? Call 119

Taiwan

In danger right now? Call 119

Thailand

In danger right now? Call 1669

Vietnam

In danger right now? Call 115

Africa and Middle East

Kenya

In danger right now? Call 999

Nigeria

In danger right now? Call 112

South Africa

In danger right now? Call 112

United Arab Emirates

In danger right now? Call 998

Other country

Find A Helpline

Free, private helplines in more than 175 countries. Choose your country, then filter by phone, text or online chat, and by topic.

Find a helpline near you (opens in a new tab)

In danger right now? Call your local emergency number. In many countries, 112 also works from a mobile phone.

Not your country? Find A Helpline (opens in a new tab) lists free, private helplines in many countries.

Helpline details verified 11 October 2026.

Help that works from anywhere

Living abroad, travelling, or your country is not in the list? These free directories cover most of the world.

Online therapy (not for emergencies)

Online therapy is not crisis help. If you might act on thoughts of suicide, call a helpline or your local emergency number now. Find a helpline

What it is

Talking therapy with a trained professional by video call, phone or chat, or an online course with a therapist's help. It is the same kind of help as in-person therapy, done from home.

When it can help

  • You feel low, anxious or stuck for weeks, and you want regular support.
  • Getting to an office is hard because of where you live, your health, your job or caring for others.
  • You want to start with a guided online course before weekly sessions.

Check they are licensed

  • Ask for their full name, their job title, their licence or registration number, and the name of the body that registered them.
  • Check that number yourself on the official public register in the country where you live. Do not rely only on a badge on their website.
  • In many places a therapist must be licensed where you live, not just where they live. Ask if they can legally work with someone in your country or state.
  • If you cannot find them on a register, choose someone else.

Cost, and free or low-cost options

  • Prices vary a lot by country and by therapist. Ask the full price, how long a session lasts, and the cancellation rules before you book.
  • Ask if they offer lower fees for people on low incomes (sometimes called a sliding scale).
  • Talking therapy is sometimes free through your employer, your university or a local charity.
  • Your public health service or health insurance may cover therapy. Ask your doctor.
  • NHS Talking Therapies (England) (opens in a new tab): Free NHS therapy for anxiety and depression if you live in England and are 18 or over (16 or 17 in some areas). You need to be registered with a GP. You can refer yourself. Sessions may be by video, phone or an online course.

Questions to ask about privacy

  • Who can see my messages, notes or recordings? Are they stored, and for how long?
  • Do you share my information with advertisers or other companies?
  • When would you have to break confidentiality, for example if my life is in danger?
  • Can I delete my account and my data?

If you can, use a private room, your own device and a secure network for sessions.

Checked 11 October 2026.

A letter for you

We are glad you found this page.

You are here because you are in a lot of pain. Maybe it has been there for a long time. Maybe it started today.

That pain is real. You do not need to explain it or prove it to anyone.

Right now, it may feel like nothing will ever change. But feelings this strong can change. They go up and down. Even the worst moments can get weaker, with time and with help.

Many people have felt what you feel now. They also thought there was no other way. Today, many of them are alive, and they are glad they are still here.

You do not have to act on these thoughts. Thoughts are not actions. You only need to stay safe for the next few minutes. Then the next few minutes after that.

You do not have to do this alone. Choose one small step now:

  • Call or text a helpline. Find one at the top of this page.
  • Or tell one person: “I am not okay. Can you stay with me?”
  • Or go somewhere you feel safer, near other people.
  • If you can, move away from anything you could use to hurt yourself.

One small step is enough for now.

What happens when you call or text?

It is normal to feel nervous. Here is what usually happens.

  • Sometimes you hear a short recorded message first. Please wait. A person will answer.
  • A trained person answers. They may be a volunteer or a counsellor. They will listen. They will not judge you. They will not tell you what to do.
  • You do not need to know what to say. You can start with: “I am not okay.” Or: “I am thinking about suicide.”
  • You do not have to give your name.
  • Many lines are free. Some cost the same as a normal call.
  • What you say is private. Most lines only call emergency services if they believe your life is in danger right now. You can ask them how this works.
  • You can stop the call or chat at any time.

If the line is busy or nobody answers

This can happen when many people call at the same time. It does not mean you do not matter. Please try again in a few minutes. Try text or chat, if the line has it. Or try another line for your country.

If one call does not feel right, you can try again later. A different person may feel easier to talk to.

Find a helpline now

Worried about someone else?

If you think someone may be thinking about suicide, here is how you can help.

  1. Ask them directly. Say: “Are you thinking about suicide?” Asking does not put the idea in their head. It shows them you care, and that they can talk to you.

  2. Listen. Let them talk. You do not need to fix anything. Do not argue, and do not tell them how they should feel. Do not promise to keep it a secret.

  3. Stay with them. If you cannot stay, make sure someone else is with them. Help them be in a safer place, near other people.

  4. Help keep them safe. If you can, and it is safe for you, ask them to move away from anything they could use to hurt themselves.

  5. Help them contact a helpline. You can call or text together. You can also contact a helpline yourself to ask what to do.

  6. If they are in danger right now, call your emergency number. You can find it in the helpline finder at the top of this page.

  7. Look after yourself too. This is hard. Helplines are also there for you, the person who is worried.

Find a helpline now

If you can't talk right now

That is okay. These small things can help for the next few minutes. Try one.

  • Breathe slowly.Breathe in while you count to 4. Breathe out while you count to 6. Do this five times.
  • Use cold water.Wash your face, or hold your hands under cold water. Or hold something cold in your hand.
  • Look around you.Name 5 things you can see. Then 4 things you can touch. Then 3 things you can hear.
  • Feel your feet on the floor.Press them down. Notice that you are here, right now.
  • Write instead of talking.Many helplines have text or chat, so you do not need to speak. Or send one message to someone you trust: “I am not okay. Can you call me?”

Can you stay with this page for the next few minutes?

When you feel a little calmer, please come back to the helplines.

Back to the helplines