Coping With Suicidal Thoughts by Kristie Knights ⋆ The Teen Mentor™

If you’re feeling suicidal right now, please call for help!

In the U.S., call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
In the UK, call 08457 90 90 90.
In Australia, call 13 11 14.
Or Visit IASP to find a helpline in your country.
Or talk to someone you trust and let them know how bad things are.

Here are 5 Steps you should take if you are having suicidal thoughts.

Step #1:Promise not to do anything right now.

Even though you’re in a lot of pain right now, give yourself some distance between thoughts and action. Make a promise to yourself: “I will wait 24 hours and won’t do anything drastic during that time.” Or, wait a week.

Thoughts and actions are two different things–your suicidal thoughts do not have to become a reality. There is no deadline, no one is pushing you to act on these thoughts immediately. Wait. Wait and put some distance between your suicidal thoughts and suicidal action.

Step #2: Avoid drugs and alcohol.

Suicidal thoughts can become even stronger if you have taken drugs or alcohol. It is important to not use nonprescription drugs or alcohol when you feel hopeless or are thinking about suicide.

Step #3: Make your home safe.

Remove things you could use to hurt yourself, such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If you are unable to do so, go to a place where you can feel safe. If you are thinking of taking an overdose, give your medicines to someone who can return them to you one day at a time as you need them.

Step #4: Take hope–people DO get through this.

Even people who feel as badly as you are feeling now manage to survive these feelings. Take hope in this. There is a very good chance that you are going to live through these feelings, no matter how much self-loathing, hopelessness, or isolation you are currently experiencing. Just give yourself the time needed and don’t try to go it alone.

Step #5: Don’t keep these suicidal feelings to yourself.

Many of us have found that the first step to coping with suicidal thoughts and feelings is to share them with someone we trust. It may be a friend, a therapist, a member of the clergy, a teacher, a family doctor, a coach, or an experienced counselor at the end of a helpline. Find someone you trust and let them know how bad things are. Don’t let fear, shame, or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. Just talking about how you got to this point in your life can release a lot of the pressure that’s building up and help you find a way to cope.

Why do you feel this way?

Many kinds of emotional pain can lead to thoughts of suicide. The reasons for this pain are unique to each one of us, and our ability to cope with the pain differs from person to person. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you, “That’s not enough to be suicidal about.” We are all different. What might be bearable to one person may not be bearable to you. There are, however, some common factors that may lead us to experience suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Feeling suicidal is often associated with problems that can be treated. Loss, depression, anxiety disorders, medical conditions, drug and alcohol dependency, financial, legal or school problems, and other life difficulties can all create profound emotional distress. They also interfere with our ability to problem solve. Even if you can’t see it now, there are always other solutions for these problems.

Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are all treatable with changes in lifestyle, therapy, and medication. Most people who seek help for their problems and make constructive changes in their lives improve their situation and recover. Even if you have received treatment for a disorder before, or if you’ve already made attempts to solve your problems, you should know that it’s often necessary to try several different solutions before the right solution or combination of solutions can be found. All problems can be treated or resolved.

Why does suicide seem like the only option?

If you are unable to think of solutions other than suicide, it is not that other solutions don’t exist, but rather that you are currently unable to see them. The intense emotional pain that you’re experiencing right now can distort your thinking so it becomes harder to see possible solutions to problems, or to connect with those who can offer support. Therapists, counselors, or friends or loved ones, can help you to see solutions that otherwise may not be apparent to you. Give them a chance to help. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.

A suicidal crisis is always temporary…

Although it might seem as if your pain and unhappiness will never end, it is important to realize that crises are temporary. Solutions are often found, feelings change, unexpected positive events occur. Remember: suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Give yourself the time necessary for things to change and the pain to subside.

Read… How to Grow From Your Pain by Mark Manson.

Reach out for help…

Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, there are many people who want to support you during this difficult time. (See Phone Numbers at the top of this article.) They won’t try to argue with you about how miserable you feel or tell you to just “snap out of it.” They will not judge you. They will simply listen to you and be there for you.

Reach out to someone. Do it now. If you promised yourself 24 hours or a week in step #1, use that time to tell someone what’s going on with you. You can call a trusted friend, family member, minister, rabbi, doctor, or therapist. It doesn’t matter who it is, as long as it’s someone you trust and who is likely to listen with compassion and acceptance.

About the Author: Kristie Knights is the Founder and CEO of iRise Leadership Institute and one of Your Monthly Mentors. She is a Licensed Psychotherapist in private practice, Collaborative Practitioner in Civil and Divorce Law, Professional Speaker, Author, and Vice President of Global Sisterhood, a Non-Profit 501 (c)(3). In her private practice, she guides hundreds of clients to lead a life of joy and purpose from here, locally in the U.S., and as far away as Israel, England, Australia, Germany, India, and Switzerland. Kristie currently sees clients in Mars and Pittsburgh offices. Read More …