Intentional Overdose: How to Get Help and Find Mental Health Crisis Resources

When someone takes too many pills on purpose, it’s not just a medical emergency-it’s a cry for help. Intentional overdose is one of the most common ways people attempt suicide, especially among teens and young adults. It’s often not about wanting to die, but about wanting the pain to stop. The good news? Help is available. And the numbers show it works.

Why Intentional Overdose Happens

People don’t choose overdose because they’re weak or impulsive. They choose it because it feels accessible. A bottle of painkillers sitting in the medicine cabinet. A few extra pills from an old prescription. A pack of acetaminophen bought at the gas station. These aren’t hard to get. And for someone in deep emotional pain, it can seem like the easiest way out.

In 2024, over 2.7% of teens aged 12 to 17 reported attempting suicide in the past year, with overdose being one of the top methods. Among adults, more than 14 million said they had serious thoughts of suicide. That’s not a small number. That’s one in every 18 adults in the U.S.

The substances most often used? Prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, and over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen. These aren’t street drugs. They’re medications people already have at home. That’s why prevention isn’t just about stopping drug use-it’s about recognizing the warning signs before someone reaches that point.

How Dangerous Is It?

Many assume an overdose is quick and painless. It’s not. Acetaminophen overdoses can cause liver failure over days. Opioids can shut down breathing slowly, leaving the person conscious but unable to move. Survivors often face permanent organ damage, brain injury from lack of oxygen, or long-term nerve damage.

And here’s something most people don’t realize: most people who survive a suicide attempt don’t try again. A 2023 CDC study found that 90% of people who survived a suicide attempt by overdose were alive five years later. That means survival isn’t failure-it’s a second chance.

The real danger isn’t the method. It’s the isolation. When someone feels like no one understands, they stop asking for help. That’s why crisis resources matter more than ever.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: What It Actually Does

In 2022, the federal government launched 988 as a simple, three-digit number to reach help anytime, day or night. It’s not a hotline. It’s a network of over 200 local call centers staffed by trained counselors who understand suicide risk.

In 2024, 988 handled 4.7 million contacts-up 32% from the year before. That’s more people reaching out than ever. And the results? One user on Reddit shared: “I called 988 after taking too many pills. The counselor stayed on the line until EMS arrived 18 minutes later. That probably saved my life.”

The service is free, confidential, and available in over 150 languages. You don’t need insurance. You don’t need to be in crisis right now. You can call just to talk. And if you’re a teen, you can call even if your parents don’t know. Counselors know how to handle minors with care and legal boundaries.

But here’s the problem: wait times have gone from 2.4 minutes in 2022 to 5.7 minutes in 2024. Staffing cuts at SAMHSA mean fewer people answering calls. That’s dangerous. Every extra minute counts when someone is in pain.

Text-Based Help: Crisis Text Line

Not everyone wants to talk on the phone. Some people feel safer texting. That’s where Crisis Text Line comes in. Text HOME to 741741. You’ll be connected to a trained crisis counselor within 37 seconds on average.

In 2024, they handled 3.2 million conversations. Most were from people under 25. The platform is especially popular with teens and young adults who find it easier to type out their feelings than speak them aloud.

Counselors don’t just offer sympathy. They use proven techniques to calm panic, help assess risk, and connect people to local resources. And unlike phone lines, you can walk away from a text conversation if you need space-then come back when you’re ready.

What If You’re Not Ready to Call?

You don’t have to be at your worst to get help. Mental health isn’t a crisis-only system. If you’re feeling hopeless, numb, or like you’re carrying the weight of the world alone, you don’t need to wait until you’re on the edge.

SAMHSA’s National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) connects people to local treatment centers, support groups, and low-cost counseling. In 2024, they answered 550,000 calls. They don’t turn anyone away. No insurance? No problem. They’ll find you care.

And if you’re worried about a friend? Call 988 yourself. You don’t need permission to ask for help for someone else. Counselors can guide you on how to talk to them, what to say, and how to stay safe while waiting for professional help.

Why the System Is Under Threat

The good news? Overdose deaths dropped by nearly 27% from 2023 to 2024. That’s over 27,000 lives saved. Experts credit better access to naloxone, expanded treatment programs, and more funding for crisis services.

But now, that progress is at risk. In 2025, the federal government proposed cutting SAMHSA’s budget by $1.07 billion. That’s not a small number. It means fewer counselors on 988 lines. Fewer mobile crisis teams in rural towns. Fewer school-based mental health programs.

The Trust for America’s Health warns these cuts could reverse years of progress. Rural areas-where suicide rates are already 25% higher than in cities-could lose their only lifeline. And with only 1 mental health provider for every 320 people at risk, we’re already stretched too thin.

What You Can Do Right Now

You don’t need to be a professional to make a difference. Here’s what actually works:

• Save 988 in your phone. It takes 10 seconds. It could save a life.
• Ask directly. If you’re worried about someone, say: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It doesn’t plant the idea. It opens the door.
• Remove access to lethal means. If someone is in crisis, take away pills, knives, or guns. Don’t wait for them to ask.
• Don’t promise secrecy. If someone is in danger, tell a trusted adult, counselor, or call 988. Saving a life is more important than keeping a secret.
• Check in regularly. One text a week-“Just thinking of you”-can be the reason someone keeps going.

Real Stories, Real Hope

A 17-year-old girl in Ohio took 40 ibuprofen tablets after her parents divorced. She didn’t tell anyone. She didn’t think she mattered. She called 988 at 2 a.m. The counselor talked her through breathing exercises, stayed on the line, and coordinated with local EMS. She spent three days in the hospital. Now, she’s in therapy. She’s back in school. She volunteers with a youth mental health group.

A veteran in rural Kentucky took a mix of his PTSD medication and painkillers. He didn’t want to die-he just didn’t want to feel anymore. He called 988. The counselor recognized his military background and connected him with a VA crisis specialist within 10 minutes. He’s been in outpatient care for over a year.

These aren’t rare stories. They’re happening every day. But only if people reach out.

Final Thought: You Are Not Alone

If you’re reading this and you’re in pain-please know this: you’re not broken. You’re not a burden. You’re not alone. Millions of people have felt exactly what you’re feeling. And millions have found a way through.

The system isn’t perfect. But it’s working. And you don’t have to fix it alone. Just reach out. Call 988. Text 741741. Tell someone. Take the first step.

Because your life matters-not because of what you’ve done, but because you’re still here.