Keeping Safe: Battling Suicidal Thoughts
There are times when we feel lonely, hopeless, helpless and overwhelmed with pain. Whether we lost someone near and dear to us or we are at a loss for a reason to go on, know that you are alone. Right now, it only means that you are feeling more pain than you are used to cope with right now. So we ask you to please stop long enough to read this.
Allow us to help you fight suicidal thoughts and stay within the light of life.
However bad you’re feeling, remember you’ve not always felt this way and you won’t always feel this way.
It takes a lot of courage to cope with suicidal thoughts. As early as now, know that thoughts don’t have to equate to reality. Thoughts are merely that: thoughts. You always have the power to alter it for the better. Just when you think that this overwhelming sense of depression is permanent, it is only transient.
This feeling may have a way of distorting your mind but you will overcome. Things will always change. You won’t always feel this way. In fact, over 90% of people who had thought of taking their own life never push through with it. That’s a good way to find a spark of hope and take every next step towards overcoming.
Why do we feel this way?
Suicidal results creep into the mind when we feel too much pain and we think there aren’t enough ways to cope with this pain. There’s a sense of imbalance that’s going on, which leads us to reduce our pain and increase our ways of coping.
Reducing Pain
There are different, wonderful ways to soothe your pain. Each will differ from one person to the next. If you find it difficult to take that first step, let us guide you.
- Attend to your needs
Have various means to soothe yourself each time you feel this way. Remember, the most important thing here is to take care of yourself. One of the most effective ways to do this is to have an emergency box you can turn to. Use your five senses as basis in collecting each item to put in the box: Your favorite blanket, your favorite music, a snack that always took you back to the warmest memory and perhaps a show that always made you laugh.
- Stay away from things that could heighten the feeling
One of the most common ways we try and silence our thoughts is through alcohol and drugs. It feels like it numbs the pain. However, it’s adding fuel to the fire and could lead to bigger problems. It is critical not to drink alone or to take non-prescription pills, as both will heighten this feeling of depression.
- Write things down
Everyone has their own form of release, writing being one of the most effective ways. Write your thoughts and feelings aimlessly. Every time you feel this darkness hovering above you, reach out for your notebook and pour everything you feel on it. You’d be surprised how much lighter you will feel afterwards.
- Minimise alone time
Isolation may not be the best way to reduce the pain you’re feeling. Make plans with friends and family. Promise yourself you’ll go to the library to do your work than lock yourself in the room. Little things like this will keep you pre-occupied and with purpose.
Increasing Ways of Coping
As the pain reduces, we find ways to cope with it better. Here are some you may want to give a try.
- Distract yourself
First things first: Turn on the light, unlock the door of your room and open the window. Can you feel the cool breeze welcoming you to another day filled with opportunities?
There are a million and one ways we can keep ourselves distracted and far away from those deep, dark thoughts. Whether it’s to read a book, watch a film, hang out with friends or pets or experiencing the outdoors, there’s an infinite pool for us to realize there’s so much life in and around us.
- Be productive and creative
Exercise has been reported as one of the best ways to keep oneself engaged. Choose a physical activity you’ve always enjoyed doing since you were young. Have a regular routine that will incorporate this hobby and realize there are plenty of reasons to wake up in the morning.
Doing something creative like painting, writing, baking, knitting or playing an instrument also helps immensely. Haven’t you always wanted to learn something new? We do believe this is the best time to do it!
- Talk to someone
Whether it’s your best friend, relative or a counselor, talking to someone always helps. Just when we thought we can’t find a solution to our problem, we’ll eventually realize that all we needed was to unload our thoughts and feelings.
- Manage expectations
Sometimes we beat ourselves about things that we have 100% control over. When we think we are not good enough, we feel like there’s no point. However, managing our expectations will help level our thoughts and feelings. It would also prevent feelings of shame, guilt, regret and self-loathing.
Need to talk?
Call these hotline numbers. Someone is always ready to talk to you
911
1-800-SUICIDE
(1-800-784-2433)
1-800-273-TALK
(1-800-273-8255)
Text Telephone:
1-800-799-4TTY
(1-800-799-4889)
Military Veterans
Suicide Hotline:
1-800-273-TALK
(Press 1)
LGBT Youth
Suicide Hotline:
1-866-4-U-TREVOR
