Suicidal Thoughts — Tag Meaning
A canonical tag disclosing that a character experiences suicidal ideation, whether passive weariness with living or active planning. It warns for the interior experience specifically, distinct from tags covering attempts or completed suicide.
What to Expect From "Suicidal Thoughts" Fics
The character's ideation is rendered from the inside, which some readers find heavier than external events. Filter alongside Suicide Attempt and Implied/Referenced Suicide for full coverage of the topic.
How to find Suicidal Thoughts fics on AO3
On AO3, click any tag to see every work that uses it, then refine with the "Filters" sidebar — combine it with your fandom or ship, set a rating, or exclude tags you don't want. See our AO3 filtering guide for the full walkthrough.
Browse "Suicidal Thoughts" works on AO3Popular Fics Tagged "Suicidal Thoughts"
Real examples from AO3's most-kudosed works:
A New Knife
by surveycorpsjean
How To Save A Life (The Cannibal-Friendly Handbook)
by Kittendiamore
In A Sky Of A Million Stars (Who Cares If One More Light Goes Out?)
by Stringlish
better luck next time
by nauticalwarrior
The Lost and Forgotten
by Litcraz
a lesson you should heed (try, try again)
by aloneintherain
Related Tags
Implied/Referenced Suicide
A canonical tag for works where suicide is discussed, remembered, or part of the backstory but not depicted. A character grieving a loss to suicide, or a past attempt mentioned in conversation, are typical uses.
Tag guide →
Suicide Attempt
A canonical warning tag indicating a character attempts suicide within the work or its immediate backstory. Many fics carrying it are aftermath stories about hospitalization, the reactions of loved ones, and the slow work of getting better.
Tag guide →
Depression
Tags a realistic depiction of depression in a character — the numbness, exhaustion, and distorted thinking, not just sadness. Many authors write from experience, and the tag covers both fics about being depressed and fics about being loved while depressed.
Tag guide →
Self-Harm
A canonical warning tag for on-page depiction of a character deliberately injuring themselves. Responsible authors pair it with additional tags clarifying tone, since the same warning covers both raw vent fic and carefully handled recovery narratives.
Tag guide →
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