It is very important that you have reached out to us. Because we happen to care very much about what happens to you. It’s really normal to feel sad sometimes or really overwhelmed by what you’re dealing with as a teen. But you need to know that you do not have to feel this way and hurting yourself, or even considering killing yourself, is never, ever the answer.

If you seriously feel like you might try to commit suicide or hurt yourself, please do one of the following immediately:

• Call 911. 911 is for emergencies. And if you are thinking about killing yourself, it’s an emergency. The folks at the other end of the line will be able to get you help immediately, so don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call.

• Call 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-HIT-HOME (448-4663). These are 24-hour, toll-free hotlines that are staffed by trained counselors. Sometimes we feel really bad and think that it would be better if we just didn’t feel anymore. Some people think that translates into suicide, but suicide is NEVER the answer. So call one of the hotlines, and talk to a caring counselor to figure out what your other options are. (If you need a different type of hotline, check out our list here.

• Get to a counselor or therapist. Before you even get to the point of hurting yourself, try to get to a trained professional who can help you deal more effectively with everything you have going on. You can ask your parents to connect you with a counselor or a therapist, and you don’t necessarily need to tell them why you want to see someone. You can just tell them that there’s a lot on your mind and you think that talking with someone could help. You can also find a counselor by talking to your school counselor or asking him or her for a referral to another counselor. Or try this Web site to find a professional counselor near you.

You need to know that you are not alone in how you are feeling. And we are not alone in saying that you shouldn’t hurt yourself and that you need to talk to someone about how you are feeling right away.

Remember, you took a brave step forward by just visiting our Web site and clicking on this question. This means that you can take the next step—reaching out to someone close to you, so you can start to feel better.