Suicide Awareness
If youve never had suicidal thoughts, it can be challenging to comprehend what it feels like. If you have thought about suicide in your life, it can feel extremely isolating and may feel impossible to talk about with someone else. This is a tough subject for me for several reasons, but I want to share a few thoughts.
1. Delay
When suicidal thoughts are strong, it may feel like you dont have any other choice. It is critical to remember that these thoughts will pass. Delay your choice to end your life.
Diversions are key:
- Start a tv series that is so good, you cannot stop
- Go outside, feel alive
- Talk to friends and family that are supportive
- Listen to music that makes you happy
- Do art
Prove yourself wrong, you are meant for more. Delaying your choice will allow you prove yourself wrong, and allow strong feelings to pass.
2. Speak up
It is important to muster up courage and tell someone. It may be the hardest thing youve done but I want to tell you, it is SO WORTH IT! Let someone be there for you, YOU ARE WORTH IT, and WE will LOVE you until YOU can love yourself.
Let me type that again IWeThey will love you, until you can love yourself.
Just typing that brings strong tears to my eyes. We do not tell people enough how much they mean to us; how much we love them or how much they MATTER, lets change that.
3. Call a support line, it seems clich but, IT IS NOT!!! It is a great resource for people who feel like they cannot tell someone in their immediate life. These are trained individuals that know how to handle a crisis.
4. Create a safe place, this is SO important! I have my concealed weapons license. I have made a promise to myself and to my husband, if I am in a low place and thoughts of plans are popping in my head, I would let him know and he will lock it up where I have no access. Alcohol and drugs are not the answer, avoid these at all cost. Getting better is the priority, not escaping the feelings.
5. You are not alone
Many people think that they are alone in feeling this way, YOU ARE NOT! It feels very alone, isolating and cold. Open up, and let us show you, you are not alone. This will change, it will not always feel this way.
6. Get treatment
This is not the end, there are great professionals that are there to help. In one of my therapy sessions, my therapist said after I overcame a lot, You are doing so well, there was a point when I thought you would be the one client I wake up to see on the news that took their own life.
That stuck with me. Sure I did the work to get better, but I had great guidance from a professional.
I want everyone to know, you can overcome ANYTHING. Give it time, this is not the end.
Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning. Winston Churchill
7. People do not say this for attention
If someone has suicidal thoughts or actions, you should take it seriously. Thoughts and or actions of suicide is not a normal response at any age, in any situation or reaction. Saying someone is talking and or thinking about it for attention, will only make them feel more alone. This misconception is deadly.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you -Matthew 7:12
8. What can you do to help others?
- Ask what you can do? If they say nothing, just sit with them. Let them know you care.
- Listen sensibly to the individual and ask how they are thinking and feeling, this is CRITICALLY important. When someone is hurt, show them you care.
- Stay in touch with them during and after their crisis
- Reduce their access to harmful objects
Help them get them in touch with resources like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- If it is severe, and you think someone is going to take action, can 911. Tell their loved ones. They may be mad, but you are saving their life.
Survivors are the bravest people. You are Brave.
One day you will tell your story of how youve overcome what youre going though now, and it will become part of someone elses survival guide. – UNKNOWN
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.
Be the first to comment