Many of us, particularly those in the throes of deep depression, consider ending it all: I certainly did, at one time, but I could remember those times when life was very good, and I knew that if I just managed to hang in there, while the dark clouds of depression scudded past, things would get better. And they did! You can speed up the process by applying the treatments for depression, to be found on page B of this website, and view the main post on depression on the home (index) page. Ask yourself: "How did I feel 5 or 10 years ago?" If the urge becomes overwhelming, call an ambulance (or phone 911 in the U.S.A., 999 in the U.K., or 000 in Australia), or take a taxi or public transport to the nearest public hospital emergency room, or mental health facility. Don't drive, yourself, unless there is no other alternative, because people thinking about suicide are often unable to give the serious business of driving their full attention, and so, may well become a danger to others, as well as themselves! See a doctor first, as severe, or clinical depression, is often the root cause of thoughts of suicide, and it needs to be established whether there is any physiological cause, such as a thyroid disorder, vitamin/ mineral deficiency, or reaction to medication. It can be important to find a good therapist, but it obviously means that your choice will be limited, if you live in a small, isolated community. View: www.getmentalhelp.com/ & www.athealth.com/ & http://www.hopeline.com/ and thoroughly examine http://1-800-therapist.com/index.html Phone: 1800 843 7274 (U.S.A.)
A CHATSITE FOR TEENS & YOUNG PEOPLE: http://www.thenarrowroad.com/ Girls may be interested in viewing http://www.twloha.com/ and for Christians, particularly, there is a weblink to treatment centres in the USA, Australia, UK & Canada.
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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need help, please dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You will be routed to the closest possible crisis center in your area. With over 120 crisis centers across the country, our mission is to provide immediate assistance to anyone seeking mental health services. Call for yourself, or someone you care about. Your call is free and confidential.
Para obtener asistencia en español durante las 24 horas, llame al 1-888-628-9454
Why should I call the Lifeline? From immediate suicidal crisis to information about mental health, crisis centers in our network are equipped to take a wide range of calls. Some of the reasons to call 1-800-273-TALK are listed below. Call to speak with someone who cares Call if you feel you might be in danger of hurting yourself Call to find referrals to mental health services in your area Call to speak to a crisis worker about someone you're concerned about Find out more What's New Veterans Affairs Suicide Hotline Begins To ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun operation of a national suicide prevention hotline for veterans. To operate the national hotline, VA is partnering with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Veterans can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to reach the VA hotline, which will be staffed by mental health professionals in Canandaigua, N.Y. who will work closely with local VA mental health providers to help callers.
Final Report of the Attempt Survivor Advisory Summit Meeting and Individual Interviews On January 16, 2007, eight attempt survivors were invited to attend an Attempt Survivor Advisory Summit Meeting in New York City. Four other attempt survivors who were unable to attend the meeting contributed their suggestions during individual indepth phone interviews conducted between January 25 and February 1, 2007. This report summarizes the findings from the meeting and the interviews. http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/media/pdf/NSPL-SOSA_Report-7-31-07_FINAL.pdf
Link2Health Solutions wins Lifeline grant Earlier today, SAMHSA announced that the grant for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has been awarded to Link2Health Solutions, an independent subsidiary of the Mental Health Association of New York City. We are very pleased to be able to continue our important work together. For more information, please click on the following link to see the SAMHSA press release: http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/070727l2hs0703.aspx
1-800-SUICIDE Announcement Callers to 800-SUICIDE are now being helped through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's network of over 120 crisis centers across the nation, the same network that responds to 800-273-TALK callers in crisis. For more information about how 800-SUICIDE callers are being efficiently assisted through this network, read our FAQs Regarding 1-800-SUICIDE.
Lifeline is now on MySpace and Help.com Lifeline has worked with MySpace to create a customized profile, click here to access our MySpace page. We are also on Help.com - click here to access our Help.com profile.
Listen If you know someone who might be thinking about suicide, you can help them first just by listening. Very often, people who think suicide is a choice for them feel like they have no other options, like they have no control over their lives, and that no one cares about them. Listening to someone can:
-show that you care -give them a greater feeling of control -help them feel connected to someone else Here are some do's and don'ts for being a good listener:
DO -give the person all of your attention -tell him or her that you care and that you are glad they are talking to you -ask questions that help you to better understand how she or he is feeling
DON'T: -try to solve the person's problems -give advice that wasn't asked for -say that the person's actions or feelings are wrong or unimportant -tell the person about your own problems
Not sure if someone you know may be thinking about suicide?
Click here for a list of warning signs.
Ask Asking about suicide can be scary and hard, but it is very important. It is the only way to find out how much danger someone is in. It also lets the person you're concerned about know that you're a safe person to talk to. Many people are afraid to talk about suicide. They fear that others will react with blame, fear, panic, or guilt. But it is often a great relief to someone thinking about suicide to know that you have noticed their pain. And although many people don't believe this, asking about suicide will NOT suggest the idea to someone or encourage someone to kill themselves.
After you have listened for a while, ask the person you're concerned about if she or he is thinking about suicide. Here's how to ask:
Ask the question directly. "Do you sometimes feel so bad that you think of suicide?" "It sounds like things are pretty rough right now, and I'm concerned about you. Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
If the answer is "yes": Stay calm. Even if this makes you feel scared or mad, don't let it show. Keep listening and letting the person know that you care. Ask her or him: "Have you thought about how you might do it?" (Is there a plan?) "Do you already have that? Can you get it?" (Are the means (gun, pills) available?) "Have you decided when you will do this? Do you know where?" (Has a time and place been set?)
If the answer to all of these questions is "Yes", there is a good chance the person will attempt suicide. But even if there is no plan, get help.
If the answer is "no": Keep listening. Don't tell the person you're glad or relieved that they're not thinking about it -their feelings may change, and then they will feel uncomfortable talking to you.
Get Help Anyone can feel suicidal, but the feeling doesn't last forever. Getting help for someone who is feeling suicidal can save their life. Never try to help a suicidal person by yourself. Even if you are a professional helper (doctor, counselor, etc.), don't go it alone. A suicidal person needs a lot of attention and support - more than any one person can give. The more helpers the better. Get help from:
a counselor or therapist a teacher the local hospital emergency room a guidance counselor a nurse or doctor The Samaritans, or your local crisis center
You should talk to any of these helpers yourself to get support and advice, but it is most important that the suicidal person talks directly with one or more of these kind of helpers. Some things to remember:
-If the first helper you try doesn't give you the help you need, try another one. -If the suicidal person won't agree to get help, tell someone anyway. It is better to have she or he be mad at you, but alive because you got help.
Emergency Help If the person you're concerned about has already set a time and/or place for a suicide attempt, or if you think for any reason that she or he wants to attempt suicide soon, keep these tips in mind:
Stay calm. This can feel scary or out of control, but the person you're helping feels more out of control than you do and needs you to be calm. Don't leave the suicidal person. If you're not with them, go get them or find someone who can stay with them. Most people won't attempt suicide unless they're alone. Call 999 or another professional who can help immediately. Remember: don't leave the person to make this call. ____________________________________________________________________________ http://suiciderateup.wordpress.com/ - This website explains that antidepressants are only helpful in around half of those cases involving depression.