One Man's Story of Suicide
Approximately every 40 seconds someone dies of suicide around the world (source).
As a therapist, I've worked with clients who struggle with thoughts of suicide. Some even have histories of attempts. When you feel like you're constantly engulfed in the shadow of depression and hopelessness, suicide can appear to be a viable option to escape the pain and emotional turmoil. Feelings of isolation and loneliness can further attribute to the risk of suicide. Helping people work through that pain and isolation is one of the reasons I've decided to become a therapist and why I find it to be such fulfilling work.It's not often that people let us see behind the curtain of suicide, especially not in a very public forum like YouTube. When I stumbled upon the video titled "My Suicide Story" by vlogger Travis Bryant, I was struck by his honesty and willingness to share so much of his story publicly. I felt that many of you out there might be able to relate to his story of coming out and coping with thoughts of hopelessness and suicide.
If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide, there are resources that you can reach out to that can help you RIGHT NOW. Here are a few that I think you might find helpful:
National Suicide Prevention Line: 1.800.273.8255
Trevor Project (LGBT youth and young adults): 1.866.488.7386
LIFENET (New York City): 1.800.543.3638
Trans Lifeline (for trans & gender non-conforming adults): 1.877.565.8860 (USA), 1.877.330.6366 (Canada)
You can watch Travis' story below.
Shedding Light on Suicide: Building Hope and Sharing Resources
Almost 30,000 people in the United States commit suicide each year. Unfortunately, people with serious mental health conditions resort to suicide often as a way to alleviate crippling emotional pain. If you are struggling with thoughts of death and suicidal thoughts, here are some tips that may help:
1. Help is only a click (or phone call) away.
There are many local and national helplines that can help you if you are having suicidal thoughts. First off, if you feel danger is imminent 911 is the best resource. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 is a great resource that will help link you with local resources no matter where you live in the United States. Those local in New York City can call Lifenet that offers both English (1-800-LIFENET) and Spanish (1-877-298-3373) support lines. LGBT specific helpline support is available via The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386. And if you identify as a member of the trans community, there is another great resource called the Trans Lifeline that can be reached at 877-565-8860 in the United States and 877-330-6366 in Canada.
2. Stay the course.
If you have been prescribed medications for mental health conditions like depression, then continue to take them. Do not stop any prescribed medications unless otherwise directed to by a physician or psychiatrist. If you feel like these medications are posing some risk to you or have unbearable side effects, contact your prescriber immediately or visit a local emergency room if you feel that need is urgent.
3. Seek out professional, ongoing support.
Continue to utilize therapy or find ongoing support from a therapist. Suicidal thoughts can be very difficult to deal with, especially alone. Seek out a professional, licensed therapist to help you work through your immediate feelings and develop a plan that helps you battle your thoughts and move toward a healthier and more satisfied life. This professional can also provide ongoing support to help you work through any underlying issues or concerns you may be having.
4. Remind yourself your are not alone.
Suicidal thoughts can be very isolating and it's very difficult to share with others what you may be experiencing internally, especially if there is outside pressure to be happy or to act a certain way, which is common in many cultures. In those dark moments, gently remind yourself that many others have thoughts of suicide and there is hope for you. There is another way to get through the pain.For more information about suicide prevention please consult with any of the resources linked above. Also, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a great FAQ page if you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Identifying Suicidal Thoughts: How to Recognize a Friend In Crisis
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide claimed the lives of an average of 105 people per day in the United States in 2010. That's 105 people who potentially could have been saved and moved on to live better and healthier lives.
Suicide is often a complicated and extreme choice that those who are in extreme suffering make. Given the nature of suicide it is imperative that all of us as family members, loved ones, friends and partners are able to identify early on that our loved ones may be considering such a final decision to end their pain.Generally speaking, people who are suicidal often have thoughts of dying and escaping their pain through death prior to an attempt. These may even be thoughts that you have had yourself at some point. While these examples below are not an exhaustive list, here are some examples of comments that are pretty strong indicators that you (or your loved one) should get help immediately:
"I have nothing to live for.""My family would be better off without me.""I just want to end it all.""I want to go to sleep and never wake up.""I just want to die."
If someone is considering suicide, it is also likely that they will show other behaviors that are pretty solid indicators that they may be in trouble. Here are a few examples from SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education):
Talking or feeling hopeless
Talking about or feeling like a burden to others
Making final arrangements or giving things away
Suddenly appearing happier or calmer after a period of depression
Preoccupation with death
If you observe any of these signs in a loved one or yourself you should always take them seriously. Call 911 and seek appropriate medical care to get your loved one the support he or she needs. Here are some online resources for suicide prevention:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386