World Suicide Prevention Day

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day…but this shouldn’t be something that is only talked about today or September, we should always talk about it.

I was unsure whether or not to write/upload this post because I don’t want to get any information wrong, but it’s much worse to not talk about it.

I’m not going to share my experience because just thinking about it earlier in the week brought back a lot of mixed emotions.

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Firstly, let’s clear some myths up.

It is NOT cowardly of someone to commit suicide, it’s because they feel like they have no other option.

ALWAYS take someone seriously when they mention suicide.

The worst thing you can do is ignore them or just move past it because you don’t think they are going to go through with it. It fucking hurts when people ignore you and what you’re feeling.

You aren’t weak for feeling suicidal.

Not everyone who feels suicidal wants to die.

A lot of people want to live a different life or what to end the pain, not necessarily die.

Feeling suicidal doesn’t have a look.

Often people say that the suicide came out of nowhere.

It probably didn’t. They were probably thinking about it for ages. Whether or not you could see the signs because they may have been hiding it. You might be laughing away, with a big smile on your face but as soon as you’re alone, it can vanish. They may look like they have it together – they could be healthy, have a stable job etc.

Even if the person has lots of friends, they can still feel lonely.

Don’t ever joke about suicide.

Even if you’re just with your friends, you never really know how saying those words may affect them.

Joking about something as serious as suicide can make other people feel invalid and stupid for feeling suicidal.

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Signs that someone is feeling suicidal

• Talking about having no purpose/feeling worthless
• Feeling anxious and isolated
• Talking about wanting to die
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing from social activities
• Taking risky health decisions
• Being distant
• Giving away belongings
• Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t see them again

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What you can do to help

• If they’re in immediate danger, call 999
• Always take them seriously
• Let them know that you are always available to talk
• Don’t feel that you have to give them advice (you might say something wrong, maybe respond with open questions instead of saying your opinion)
• Don’t make them feel guilty for feeling suicidal
• Offer to do small things with them to distract them e.g. watch a film together, make dinner, go on a walk etc.
• Offer to make a ‘safety plan’ (to make sure they always have support in place)
• Check-in with them
• Don’t force them to open up to you
• Sometimes just sitting with someone is enough

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30 reasons to stay alive:

• Meeting amazing people
• Sunbathing
• Playing in the snow
• Sunsets
• Staying up all night with friends
• Laughter
• Cuddling animals
• Discovering countries
• Nothing lasts forever
• Creating art
• Reading books
• Making food
• Enjoying summer
• Wearing short sleeves
• Being happy
• Seeing artists in concerts
• Watching films
• Rainbows
• Going on holiday
• Christmas lights
• Falling in love
• Having kids
• Feeling confident
• Growing old
• Singing in the shower
• Having a good birthday
• Hugging
• Drinking hot chocolate on a cold day
• Wrapping up in blankets
• Toasting marshmallows

Related: 100 distractions

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Helplines:

Samaritans – 116 234

International Association for Suicide Prevention

Campaign Against Living Miserably – 0800 58 58 58

PAPYRUS – Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860039967

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Suicide doesn’t have a look. They might not be crying, they might seem happy. You just don’t know what anyone is going through.

Be kind, always ❤

Best wishes, Cx