If you are feeling suicidal right now and you need someone to talk to: click here.
For many people who feel suicidal, there seems to be no other way out. Death describes their world at that moment and the strength of their suicidal feelings should not be under-estimated – they are real and powerful and immediate. There are no magic cures.
But it is also true that…
- Suicide is often a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
- When we are depressed, we tend to see things through the very narrow perspective of the present moment. A week or a month later, things may look completely different.
- Most people who once thought about killing themselves are now glad to be alive. They say they didn’t want to end their lives – they just wanted to stop the pain.
The most important step is to talk to someone. People who feel suicidal should not try to cope alone. They should seek help NOW.
- Talk to family or friends. Just talking to a family member or a friend or a colleague can bring huge relief.
- Talk to a befriender. Some people cannot talk to family or friends. Some find it easier to talk to a stranger. There are befriending centers all over the country, with volunteers who have been trained to listen. If calling is too difficult, the person can send an email.
- Talk to a doctor. If someone is going through a longer period of feeling low or suicidal, he or she may be suffering from clinical depression. This is a medical condition caused by a chemical imbalance, and can usually be treated by a doctor through the prescription of drugs and/or a referral to therapy.
Time is an important factor in ‘moving on’, but what happens in that time also matters. When someone is feeling suicidal, they should talk about their feelings immediately.
Source: Befrienders Worldwide
Facts and Fallacies
by Kevin Caruso
Suicide Myth
People who talk about suicide are just trying to get attention.
Suicide Fact
People who die by suicide usually talk about it first. They are in pain and oftentimes reach out for help because they do not know what to do and have lost hope. Always take talk about suicide seriously. Always.
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Suicide Myth
Suicide always occurs without any warning signs.
Suicide Fact
There are almost always warning signs.
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Suicide Myth
Once people decide to die by suicide, there is nothing you can do to stop them.
Suicide Fact
Suicide can be prevented. Most people who are suicidal do not want to die; they just want to stop their pain.
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Suicide Myth
Suicide only strikes people of a certain gender, race, financial status, age, etc.
Suicide Fact
Suicide can strike anyone.
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Suicide Myth
People who attempt suicide and survive will not attempt suicide again.
Suicide Fact
People who attempt suicide and survive will oftentimes make additional attempts.
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Suicide Myth
People who attempt suicide are crazy.
Suicide Fact
No, no, no. They are in pain, and probably have a chemical imbalance in their brain. Anyone could attempt suicide.
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Suicide Myth
People who attempt suicide are weak.
Suicide Fact
No, no, no. They are in pain and probably have a chemical imbalance in their brain. Many people who are very “strong” die by suicide.
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Suicide Myth
People who talk about suicide are trying to manipulate others.
Suicide Fact
No. People who talk about suicide are in pain and need help. And telling them that they “just want something” or “are trying to manipulate” is both insensitive and ignorant. People often talk about suicide before dying by suicide. Always take talk about suicide seriously. Always.
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Suicide Myth
When people become suicidal, they will always be suicidal.
Suicide Fact
Most people are suicidal for a limited period of time. However, suicidal feelings can recur.
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Suicide Myth
People who are suicidal definitely want to die.
Suicide Fact
The vast majority of people who are suicidal do not want to die. They are in pain, and they want to stop the pain.
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Suicide Myth
You should never ask people who are suicidal person if they are thinking about suicide or if they have thought about a method, because just talking about it will give them the idea.
Suicide Fact
Asking people if they are thinking about suicide does not give them the idea for suicide. And it is important to talk about suicide with people who are suicidal because you will learn more about their mindset and intentions, and allow them to diffuse some of the tension that is causing their suicidal feelings.
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Suicide Myth
When people who are suicidal feel better, they are no longer suicidal.
Suicide Fact
Sometimes suicidal people feel better because they have decided to die by suicide, and may feel a sense of relief that the pain will soon be over.
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Suicide Myth
Young people never think about suicide, they have their entire life ahead of them.
Suicide Fact
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24. Sometimes children under 10 want die by suicide.
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Suicide Myth
There is little correlation between alcohol or drug abuse and suicide.
Suicide Fact
Oftentimes people who die by suicide are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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Suicide Myth
People who are suicidal do not seek help.
Suicide Fact
Many people who are suicidal reach out for help.
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