Suicide Information and Resources
If you are thinking about suicide, please don't harm yourself.
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. It is forever.
It cannot be taken back. It changes everything for forever. It ends
dreams and creates nightmares. It shatters hope and creates despair.
It steals away all potential and leaves a wasteland of regrets and pain.
And it disrupts the natural order of life by taking a precious being from
our presence and robbing us of their beauty, depth, meaning, and spirit.
Your life matters. Pain can be alleviated.
Whatever has happened, whatever you're feeling, whatever you've experienced . . .
there are answers and there are solutions.
This can get better. We can find an answer
Please, give hope a chance.
PLEASE SEEK IMMEDIATE HELP
PLEASE STOP WHAT YOU ARE DOING, PICK UP THE PHONE, AND CALL
800 273 TALK
(800 273 8255)
UNDERSTANDING AND HELPING THE SUICIDAL PERSON
Source: American Association of Suicidology
Be
Aware of the Warning Signs
Are you or someone you love at risk of
suicide? Get the facts and take appropriate action.
Get help immediately by contacting a mental health professional or calling
1-800-273-8255 for a referral should you witness, hear, or see anyone exhibiting
any one or more of the following:
Someone threatening to hurt or kill him/herself,
or talking of wanting to hurt or kill
him/herself.
Someone looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms,
available pills,
or other means.
Someone
talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of
the
ordinary for the person.
Seek help as soon as possible by contacting a mental health professional
or calling 1-800-273-8255 for a referral should you witness, hear, or see
someone you know exhibiting any one or more of the following:
Hopelessness
Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
Increased alcohol or drug use
Withdrawing from friends, family and society
Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
Dramatic mood changes
No reason for living; no sense of purpose in life
What To Do
Here are some ways to be helpful to someone who is threatening suicide:
 | Be direct. Talk openly and
matter-of-factly about suicide.
| Be willing to listen. Allow
expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
| Be non-judgmental. Don’t
debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or whether feelings are good or
bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
| Get involved. Become
available. Show interest and support.
| Don’t dare him or her to do
it.
| Don’t act shocked. This will
put distance between you.
| Don’t be sworn to secrecy.
Seek support.
| Offer hope that alternatives
are available but do not offer glib reassurance.
| Take action. Remove means,
such as guns or stockpiled pills.
| Get help from persons or
agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. | |
Many people at some time in their lives think about completing suicide. Most decide to live because they eventually come to realize that the crisis is temporary and death is permanent. On other hand, people having a crisis sometimes perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control. These are some of the feelings and thoughts they experience:
| Can’t stop the pain
| Can’t think clearly
| Can’t make decisions
| Can’t see any way out
| Can’t sleep, eat or work
| Can’t get out of depression
| Can’t make the sadness go
away
| Can’t see a future without
pain
| Can’t see themselves as
worthwhile
| Can’t get someone’s
attention
| Can’t seem to get control | |
If
you experience these feelings, get help!
If someone you know exhibits these symptoms, offer help!
Contact:
| A community mental health
agency
| A private therapist or
counselor
| A school counselor or
psychologist
| A family physician
| A suicide prevention or crisis
center | |