The holiday season can be an incredibly difficult time for numerous reasons. It can leave you feeling burnt out, stressed, overwhelmed or hopeless.

Thoughts of suicide or self-harm are experienced by many people during the holiday season. These thoughts can come about when your emotional distress just feels unbearable.

Acknowledging you need help, and speaking up is one of the most courageous things you can do. Your thoughts of suicide can feel very overwhelming, but speaking up is not a sign of weakness — it’s the first step on the path toward healing. 

What do suicidal thoughts look like?

Suicidal ideation involves thoughts focused on death or suicide. These thoughts typically come and go, but you may also have such thoughts more and more often. Continuing to think about these thoughts can lead to the development of a plan to end your life. Again, suicidal thoughts can and will look different for almost everyone. 

Examples of suicidal ideation could range from fleeting thoughts like “I wish I wasn’t here” to developing a concrete plan to end one’s life.

There are also intense emotional signs that a person might be having thoughts of suicide. These can include feeling immense guilt, feeling hopelessness, withdrawing, or disconnection from others.

If you have ever had these thoughts, you’re not broken or selfish. You matter, and you’re a human who deserves help. Suicidal ideation is common. In 2023, a reported 12.8 million adults over 18 in the U.S. experienced thoughts of suicide.

Suicidal thoughts are a signal to seek support

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. These thoughts of hurting yourself can be addressed with the right support and guidance from a professional.

Asking for help shows courage, it doesn’t mean that you are attention-seeking or immature. You don’t have to be in a crisis to reach out and ask for help. You can ask for help at any point, even before things escalate so you are prepared with a plan.

7 ways to talk about suicidal thoughts without shame

• Start with someone safe

Pick someone you trust, and feel close with. This could be anyone you feel safe with, a mentor, a boss, a friend, or a family member. Reaching out to someone is the bravest thing you could do.

• Say what you can, not what you can’t

“I’m struggling right now” is enough. A professional can take it from there. The first step of acknowledging how you feel, is always the hardest part.

• Use written words if talking feels hard

Journaling is a great way to talk about your feelings, and write them down in a concrete way. If journaling doesn’t feel right, you can also send a text to someone you trust to check in. You could also write a note to yourself to read at a later date. 

• Remember that it’s OK to not be OK during the holidays

You don’t owe anyone anything this holiday season. You’re doing the best that you can, and that is more than enough. Don’t push yourself to meet unrealistic expectations. 

• Challenge shame by naming what you feel 

Whatever feelings you are experiencing are valid. Try further validating your feelings by naming how you feel. For example, perhaps you’re experiencing shame, or loneliness. Naming your feelings allows you to be present and in-sync with what your body is telling you. 

• Practice self-compassion

Be proud of yourself for how far you’ve come. You’re doing the best you can. 

• Reach out even if you don’t think you “deserve” help 

Everyone deserves support, because you matter. You are not alone in what you’re going through.

How Lightfully supports people with suicidal thoughts 

We treat suicidal ideation as a symptom, not an identity. You do not equal your suicidal thoughts, and here at Lightfully, we treat each of our clients with compassion and clinical expertise. We know that each client is an individual case, so our framework consists of a whole-person-centered care provided by trained professionals. We offer four different levels of care, depending on what feels right for you. 

One of our levels of care options is Residential Treatment, where you can receive 24/7 care in a homelike setting, with trained professionals. We also offer Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) for clients who want structured daytime care, without the implementation of overnight care. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides flexible day time care to clients experiencing a mental health disorder. We also provide Virtual 

Services (both vPHP & vIOP) for our clients with unique schedules or needs.

Even though it can be scary and overwhelming to talk about you or your loved one’s thoughts of suicide, doing so could literally change your life. It’s OK to talk about thoughts of suicide, and in order to combat suicide, we need to be more open, and ready to talk about it.

Lightfully is here to walk with you through your struggles. You don’t have to carry it alone. Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.

If you, or a loved one are currently experiencing suicidal ideations, please reach out for help immediately. You matter, and you deserve to be here, and get the help you need. Call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, to speak with a professional 24/7/365.