Take talk of suicide seriously
Not ratedADHD evidence
Know how to ask directly, listen, and get someone to urgent support.
Start with the time you have
1 minute
Practise saying it out loud: 'I am struggling and need someone to stay with me while I get help.'
5 minutes
Identify your local crisis service and a trusted person you could contact; do not delay urgent help to do this.
15 minutes
Read NIMH's action steps with a trusted person and discuss how you would help each other reach support.
How sure the science is
Not rated, ADHD evidence
- No pooled trials to rate.
- This rests on single studies, expert consensus or clinical practice.
- Measured in people with ADHD.
Longitudinal observational meta-analysis in ADHD (Tier 2) for risk; NIMH general suicide-prevention guidance for actions, with no ADHD-specific intervention estimate.
The number, drawn
Asking about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts
Why it matters
- In a meta-analysis of 9 longitudinal studies, children and teenagers with ADHD had about 3.3 times the odds of later suicidal thoughts or behaviour, with large differences between studies.
- This association cannot predict any one person's future, and it does not make suicide inevitable.
- NIMH's advice is to ask directly, listen without judging and help the person connect with support.
- Studies show that asking does not increase suicidal thoughts.
How to do it
- If you're worried, ask plainly and calmly whether they are thinking about suicide.
- Take the answer seriously and keep listening. Then help them reach a crisis service or a professional they trust.
- If there is immediate danger, call emergency services and stay with them if it is safe to.
- If these feelings are yours, tell someone directly and get help now. Don't carry it alone.
- If you or someone else may act on suicidal thoughts, call your local emergency number now, or contact a crisis line or suicide prevention helpline in your country.
- Do not wait for a scheduled appointment.
Putting it into practice
In real life
- 'Are you thinking about suicide?' is clearer than 'You would not do anything silly, would you?'
- 'I am not feeling safe and need help now' is enough to start asking for support.
Watch out for
- Common mistakeDon't promise secrecy. Keeping that door open lets you bring in urgent support when safety is at risk.
- Common mistakeDon't use ADHD statistics to predict one person's risk. Respond to what they say and what is happening now.
Trusted guides
How we rated it
- Evidence grade
- C Small or mixed studies, expert consensus or clinical practice. Worth knowing, not worth betting on.
- The number
- Asking about suicide does not increase suicidal thoughts (NIMH, 2024)
- Benefit
- 72/100 An editorial priority for the general list, weighted by certainty. It does not predict what will happen for you.
- Effort
- Some effort
Sources
- Tier 1 guideline5 Action Steps to Help Someone Having Thoughts of SuicideNIMH, 2024
- Tier 2 studyLongitudinal Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents With Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisBrain and Behavior, 2025
- General information about ADHD, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan.
- Tailoring changes the order of suggestions; it does not assess you.
- Medication decisions belong with you and a qualified clinician.