Where to Go when Suicidal?
Suggestions follow...
Cassa replied: Don't know where in the world you are, but if you're in the States, you can call 1-800-SUICIDE. In Europe, you can call the Befrienders (Phone numbers at this site: http://www.samaritans.org/talk/youcall.shtm). You can also e-mail the Befrienders at jo@samaritans.org. Someone will get back to you within 24 hours to give person-to-person e-mail support.
You can also surf to: http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/, http://suicidehotlines.com/ (has more hotline numbers - all toll free), or http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.helpself.html.
When you find websites that make you feel good or that have good suicide prevention tips on them, bookmark them on your computer so you have them ready the next time you're feeling low.
And GinMari suggests: It is very hard to pull yourself out of serious depression and suicidal ideation and planning by yourself.
Usually when things get bad like that for me and no one is around for me to call or talk to in real life, then I haunt this forum and the chatroom (http://www.stepchat.com/bipolar/index.html). I find talking to people can be helpful. Getting myself out of my head and redirecting my thoughts is helpful.
It helps that I made a pact with myself after my last attempt, I will NOT impulsively try to kill myself again. I will give myself one week. I found that usually if I can get through the week, then my mood will change before the deadline I've given myself. It helps to put time between you and action, it really does.
Perhaps you should ask your brother, say "Bro, I know you don't like to discuss personal feelings and everything, but I really am having a time with this and I'm just wondering how you deal with suicidal thoughts?" It's not personal feelings necessarily, it's action talk. Might make a difference.
And if all else fails, maybe walk into your daughter's bedroom when you feel like you might hurt yourself. Look around at her stuff, look at her picture and think of how devastating a consquence your death would be to her. I always go to Suicide Survivor sites on the web, I read how other people were affected by their loved ones' suicides, I put my family in their place - if I'm not too far gone, it's a really big wake up call.
We also suggest: Suicide Crisis Resources and Suicide Library.
Comments
Learing about and recognizing my own manic-depressive cycle really helps me when the downers hit me… now, I know they will “normally” last only a short time, and I can pull out of it by letting time heal me.
Before, however, the time when I was suicidal, I spent that time planning my death. What kept me from it was knowing that my ex-husband would rear my child! I knew that no matter how bad it was for me, her fragile psyche would be harmed significantly… I was her protector and her mentor. She could handle a weekend with him, but not for the rest of her life. She is now 40+ and has no idea how that precious 4 year old self saved my life. Many times after that, in a major depression I thought of her and what a tragedy it would have been if I left her like that. It helps me see the gratitude and joy that is on my horizon.
Why in the world would anyone wish to prevent a suicide? When a person has had history that includes severe abuse, a suicidal parent (with attempts), extreme isolation during formative years, other abuse by extended family members; a premature death of a very close friend; a catastrophic event in ones home ten years ago (explosion and fire) and sadly lived through it; interpersonal difficulties to date; post-partum depressions; a recent assault in ones own home by a casual aquaintance with the end result of reporting the assault that the police/detective will not pursue it due to ‘not all of the elements of a crime being present’ under their criteria . . . .. . How much is one to take on this earth. Is suicide illegal?