Considering suicide? If you are feeling suicidal right now, you are not alone, and you can get help.
Many people experience suicidal ‘ideation’ or ‘thoughts’ when they experience periods of intense emotional pain due to grief or trauma, or feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety. Difficult circumstances, such as a loss or divorce or financial stress can lead to hopelessness and despair. These feelings are a normal and natural way of telling you that your life much change, and you have the power to change it, whatever your circumstances. But you may need the right help and support to do this.
If you are actively feeling suicidal call: Call 999, go to your nearest A&E department, call 111 or the Samaritans (24/7) on 116 123. In the meantime if you are able to cope, I hope that reading these reasons why not acting on suicidal thoughts will help, and can persuade you that life is indeed worth living:
- Ultimately, suicide will not solve the problems or pain that brought you to this point.
Feeling suicidal is not just something experienced by people with mental health conditions; anyone can experience these thoughts during times of overwhelming stress or emotional pain. Often it is not life itself that you want to escape, but the pain you are experiencing right now. While that pain is real, it will pass and support and treatment can help reduce it without ending your life. - Thoughts are not instructions.
You may feel like you want an escape right now, but thoughts do not have to be acted upon. Many people experience thoughts they do not intend to act on. Having thoughts about suicide does not mean you want to die, and it does not mean you must follow them. - Emotions do not stay the same for any length of time.
However painful things feel right now, emotions change over time. Thoughts, circumstances, relationships, health, and the body itself all change. Feelings can seem permanent in difficult moments, but they are often temporary, even when they feel overwhelming. - Feeling suicidal is nature’s way of telling you that something is wrong and needs to change.
If you are feeling suicidal, it may mean that something in your life is causing significant distress. That does not mean your life is beyond repair. Sometimes these feelings can be an important signal that support, change, rest, treatment, or help is needed. - Suicidal thoughts or ‘ideation’ are often defence mechanisms which are designed to protect you.
For some people, the thought of an ‘out’ can feel temporarily comforting when things become overwhelming. The important thing is not to act on these thoughts. Give yourself time, seek support, and allow the intensity of the feelings to pass. Techniques such as grounding, distraction, speaking with someone you trust, or professional support can help. - Difficult periods in life can eventually lead to growth
Remember the phrase ‘it is always darkest before dawn’ and that is true. Pain and suffering can lead to growth, understanding, and change. Many people later look back on periods they thought they would never survive and feel grateful they continued through them. - There are people who care about you (even if they don't show it).
Pain and hopelessness can make people feel isolated and disconnected. Even if it feels like nobody understands, support can come from family members, friends, colleagues, professionals, or support services. - Don’t rob the ‘future you’, or even the 'you of tomorrow'.
There is a future version of you that has not yet experienced future relationships, achievements, discoveries, opportunities, or moments of peace and happiness. You deserve the chance to meet that future self, and even if you are just living 'a day at a time', don't rob the you of tomorrow who may just have a great day. - This too shall pass.
This ancient phrase reflects an important truth: feelings and circumstances change. Even the most difficult moments do not stay exactly the same forever. - Emotional pain is telling you something is wrong
Emotional pain often signals that something matters and that something may need care, understanding, or support. Understanding where pain comes from can be an important step toward healing. - To be alive despite the pain is empowering
Choosing not to act on painful thoughts and reaching for support can be an act of strength. Over time, people can develop resilience and coping skills that help them navigate future challenges more effectively.
Here are 11 things you can do instead of acting on suicidal thoughts:
- Reach out to friends and family and let them know you are struggling.
- Call a helpline (see the links below)
- Get a therapist to help you understand why you feel so bad, and to help you replace the negative 'self talk' with more positive goals and affirmations that can give you some hope about the future.
- Using grounding techniques such as counting, breathing, movement, calling someone can be helpful.
- Exercise and getting the heart going and the blood flowing will help to change your mood.
- Get the box of tissues out and have a cry or a rant to get it out.
- Avoid toxic people or situations that are bringing you down if you can.
- Journal how you are feeling and why.
- Sing and dance and listen to some uplifting music.
- Substituting your negative feelings with alternatives that you enjoy can boost your feelings and give you something to do to take your mind off how you are feeling.
- Learn a language or recite something over and over again. A positive mantra could help such as ‘things will get better, I will feel better, this will pass, it is always darkest before dawn, but I can make my life into something that is happy and positive’.
Website that can help you in your hour of need:
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/behaviours/help-for-suicidal-thoughts/https://findahelpline.com/
https://findahelpline.com/
Safety Plan
If you sometimes struggle with suicidal thoughts, complete the questions below.
Suicidal thoughts are the result of extreme pain, but THESE WILL PASS.
| What I need to do to reduce the risk of me acting on the suicidal thoughts: | |
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| My warning signs & triggers | |
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| How have I coped in past/what helps? What ways of coping do I have? | |
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| What will I tell myself as an alternative to any dark (intrusive) thoughts? | |
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| I feel hopeful/happy when I think about…. | |
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| People that I know whom I can ask for help and support: | |
| Friend or relative: Health professional: Telephone helpline: Anyone else: | |