Suicide

The following link reveals statistics of suicide in the US according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

Suicide in the US

1.8% of deaths throughout the world are a result of suicide. This is 1.8% too many! Suicide is a tragedy that ends one life too soon and leaves countless others to suffer in the aftermath. No one in their right mind would dare perform such a horrific act.

The problem is, we are not in our right minds when we have thoughts of suicide.

In the midst of a severe depression, our senses are slurred and reality is overshadowed by the pain of the moment. All that can be felt is an endless overdose of misery; nothing seems worthwhile. We feel detached from our loved ones, and may even convince ourselves that they will be better off without us. Terrible circumstances may arise, such as sudden loss of income, divorce, death of a loved one, a permanent handicap, or any number of other tragedies, that make one doubt any feasible method of relief besides death. For someone who is contemplating suicide, the living world represents a burden that can no longer be endured, and death exhibits an end to suffering.

The truth is, you are needed here. Your life is worth far too much to throw it away. No matter how big your problems are, no matter how terrible you feel, no matter how lonely you are, or how stressed, or scared, or diseased; even if your whole family has told you they hate you, or you've lost everything and everyone you cared for, THERE IS STILL A REASON TO CARRY ON!

I can't tell you what that reason is. You have to find it on your own. But I promise, you will find the reason to keep living if you vow to not give up.

After I was released from the hospital after my first suicide attempt, I was still feeling quite suicidal. I decided to make a Life Box. I placed items that were a threat to me (sleeping pills, knives, etc.) in the box, and then on the top of the lid I taped a picture of my two daughters. They were my reasons to live, and I knew if I had to look at that picture and imagine someone telling them that their mom has died, I would not open that box. The box was symbolic, because obviously there were ways to off myself that would not fit into a box. It gave me something visual to focus on when I was feeling my worst.

I no longer have an actual Life Box, but I adhere to making lists when I am feeling suicidal now. Sometimes I write the stuff down, or something I just go through it in my head, but the object is to list things that give me reason to live. Examples are

• People you love, or who love/depend on you (children, parents, siblings, friends)
• Things that make you laugh (TV show, your pet, your children)
• Things you are proud of (promotion at work, your blog, getting out of bed)
• Things you enjoy (reading, long walks, singing in the shower, puzzles)

The lists can be anything you want them to be; the point is to get your mind focused on living things, and away from the reasons you want to die.  What works for one person may not work as well for another, so play around with ideas while you are feeling well so that you will be ready with things to try when you are under the attack of suicidal thoughts.

My fiance had the pleasure of meeting Steve Fugate a while back, and when he told me about Mr. Fugate's cause I looked up his website trailtherapy.org. I was very glad I did. His story touched me deeply, and I encourage you to read about his story and his choice to LOVE LIFE.

What ideas can you think of to help you or someone else choose life instead of suicide?