Everyone experiences ups and downs with their mental health. If you or someone you know has questions about mental health, self-harm or suicide, it is important to know that help is out there, recovery is possible and you are not alone.

What are suicide and self-harm?

Thoughts of wanting or wishing to die are called suicidal ideation. When a person tries to act on these thoughts, it is called a suicide attempt. If a suicide attempt is fatal, it is called a death by suicide. Suicide is preventable, and not every person who struggles with suicidal ideation will die from suicide. Self-harm refers to when a person intentionally hurts their own body. Self-harm is different from a suicide attempt, as not everyone who engages in self-harm wants to die. We should take all suicide or self-harm thoughts and behaviours seriously and as a sign to seek help.

Getting help

It's important to recognise when mental health challenges are continual and make day-to-day life hard to manage. Signs that someone might be struggling with their mental health include changes in behaviour, mood and communication, such as:

• Changes in appetite, sleeping patterns or energy levels
• Isolating from friends and family, or reducing participation in usual activities
• Difficulties functioning at work, school or in other areas of life
• Feeling sad, hopeless, irritable or anxious more than usual
• Statements such as "You would be better off without me", "I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up" or "I don't care if I live or die"

What can I do if I think I need help?

Reaching out for help when you're struggling can be hard, but you are not alone – there is help available. Asking for help is always okay and doesn't mean you're a failure. In fact, it is one of the most important steps you can take towards recovery.

You may want different forms of support, depending on your needs and comfort levels. Here are some resources that you could consider getting help from:

• Friends, family or other communities. Friends, families, hobby groups or religious communities, if you identify with one, can be a great source of support and encouragement. They can listen to how you're feeling with empathy and remind you that you don't need to go through a tough time alone.
• Mental health crisis or suicide helpline. Contacting a helpline will connect you with a trained professional who will ask questions about how you're feeling and if you're at risk of hurting yourself. With some helplines, you can get support via texting or calling, depending on your preference. You don't need to be in a life-threatening crisis to reach out to a suicide helpline. You can talk about anything that is bothering you in an anonymous, confidential setting.
• Medical doctor. Your doctor can help assess changes in your emotions and behaviours, give recommendations for lifestyle changes (such as sleeping habits, exercise and diet) and provide referrals to other health professionals as needed.
• Mental health professional. A specialised mental health provider can provide support and treatment for mental health struggles, including diagnosing mental health conditions if needed. They may explore treatment options with you, such as medication or talking therapies. They may also help you make a plan to keep yourself safe if you're having suicidal feelings or urges.
• Peer support services. Talking to someone who has recovered from mental health struggles can be an empowering and validating experience. Local peer support communities may offer phone lines that are staffed by people with lived experience of mental health conditions, as well as support groups with other peers.

What can I do to support a friend?

If you think a friend might be thinking about suicide or engaging in self-harm, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how you can help. Here are some actions that you can take to support a friend:

• Start the conversation. If you're concerned about changes in a friend's behaviour and think something might be wrong, don't be afraid to bring it up with them. You could try asking your friend to catch up in person and ask them something like "It seems like you've been down lately, and I'm worried about you. How have you been feeling?" Asking about suicide does not put the thought into someone's head or increase the risk. You can try asking directly by saying "Have you had thoughts about ending your life?" Additional guidance on how to talk to someone about suicide or self-harm is available in TikTok's Well-Being Guide.
• Listen with empathy and without judgement. Don't offer solutions or change the topic. Be patient and comfortable if there are silences. Try asking open-ended questions, such as "What's on your mind?" and "What can I do to support you?", and listening to the emotions that come out in your friend's responses. We can help others just by being a good listener.
• Offer to connect them with resources. You can play an important role in your friend's recovery by encouraging them to seek professional help from a therapist or healthcare provider, contact a suicide hotline or get in touch with a local support group.
• Take care of yourself. Providing a listening and supportive ear to those around you takes significant energy. It may leave you feeling distressed or burnt out, especially when talking about issues like suicide or self-harm. If you notice that supporting a friend is taking a toll on your own mental health, don't be afraid to take a break, set healthy boundaries or talk to someone you trust.

More information about how to support friends who are experiencing mental health difficulties is available in TikTok's Well-Being Guide.

Getting help immediately

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact a healthcare provider or a suicide hotline immediately.

Learn more

Disclaimer

TikTok’s Safety Centre resources and guides do not provide mental health or medical services. “Suicide and Self-Harm” on TikTok is not a substitute for medical, psychological or psychiatric diagnosis, treatment or advice. Content produced and distributed by TikTok is for informational and educational use only. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of the availability of services or educational materials offered by TikTok.

If you are in a crisis or if you or any other person may be in danger or experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency resources immediately. Users should remember that the responsibility for anyone else’s safety is not yours alone – others are available to help. You do not have to engage in these conversations if you do not feel ready to do so.

This Safety Centre was developed with expert consultation from the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).