Updated 05/2021
The apps
These first two are for the suicide attempt survivors or for those who experience suicidal thoughts also known as suicidal ideation. Please understand that the phenomenon of suicidal thoughts is a brain attack and a medical problem and not a weakness of character.
The last one is for medical professionals to assess a situation. If you are a parent or a teacher, it is recommended that you connect your loved one with services and not try to “fix” the situation yourself.
Best apps for those with suicidal thoughts
These will keep you safe when you are having thoughts of suicide. You can enter contact names, some of them you can upload pictures to remind you why you should stay.
- My3 by Link2health Solutions Inc – My personal favorite. Apple, GooglePlay for Android – This is the app I have recommended multiple times to young adults
- Safety Plan app for iPhone. Google Play version, too.
- Not OK app, a pre-crisis and connection building tool
- Stay Alive by Grassroots Suicide Prevention- From the UK – Apple, GooglePlay for Android and a downloadable PDF. Reviewers liked that the app allowed for the upload of pictures
The suicide prevention app for healthcare providers
- SuicideSafe by SAMHSA – Apple, GooglePlay for Android
If you have an iPhone and you are suffering from thoughts of suicide, you can tell SIRI you are feeling suicidal and she or he will bring up the suicide hotline. There are 166 across the country so once you call, you will then be connected with another call center in your area.
In Virginia, that is Dumfries, VA. It used to be that you would tell SIRI and she would tell you where the nearest bridge was. Fortunately, that was changed a few years ago.
Great article to address much needed resources. And you saved me some research! We are launching Youth Suicide Prevention Leadership Coalitions across Massachusetts under the Garrett Lee Smith grant and one of the first tasks these youth have is to evaluate prevention training for their age group and current apps. I will share this blog with all of them.
Annemarie Matulis
Director, Bristol County (MA) Regional Coalition for Suicide Prevention
That is fantastic Annemarie who also has a double name like me! I have been searching for a while and went to the class and voila, Kathy presented the reviewed apps. Made my day!