What are Suicidal thoughts?

Suicide is the act of a person intentionally causing their own death. It is usually connected to intense psychological pain, distress, or mental health conditions such as depression or post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

People who think about suicide are often experiencing overwhelming feelings like:

• deep sadness or hopelessness
• feeling trapped or like a burden to others
• severe anxiety or emotional pain
• loneliness or isolation

In many cases, suicidal thoughts happen during crises and can improve with support, treatment, and time. Professional help from therapists, doctors, or crisis services can make a big difference.

Why people develop suicidal thoughts.

People can develop suicidal thoughts for many different reasons. Usually it isn’t caused by a single thing, but by a combination of emotional pain, life stress, and mental health struggles. 

Mental health conditions such as major depressive episodes, bipolar disorder, PTSD and anxiety disorders can create feelings of deep sadness, hopelessness, or emotional overwhelm that make people feel like they can’t escape their pain.

When someone believes their situation will never improve, they may feel hopeless and trapped. Therefore, their brain can start seeing suicide as the only way to stop the pain. This feeling of hopelessness is one of the strongest predictors of suicidal thinking.

Traumatic or stressful life events such as the loss of a loved one, relationship break-ups, financial worries or a job loss, bullying or social isolation/loneliness, or abuse or violence can increase the possibility of suicidal thoughts. Some people start believing that others would be “better off without them.” This belief is often distorted by emotional pain, but it can feel very real to the person experiencing it.

Often, the use and misuse of substances (drugs, alcohol), can lower inhibitions, intensify negative emotions and increase impulsive decisions, which combined with troubling life events or mental health conditions can increase suicidal thoughts.

Having suicidal thoughts does not mean someone truly wants to die. Often it means they want relief from overwhelming pain and can’t see another way out.

If you are in crisis please contact your GP or NHS 24 on 111 in the first instance, or the Samaritans on 116 123, Breathing Space on 0800 838587 or Childline on 0800 1111. 

To speak to a qualified counsellor in Stirling please contact me on 07762 459479 or complete the form below.