Suicide & Referrals

No one wants to talk about it, sometimes it can be difficult to initiate a conversation about suicide even for close family friends and health practitioners. However, regardless of how difficult it can be discuss in the beginning, it can become easier if you just try. If you are the one thinking about suicide, it can be even more difficult to open up. You may feel shame, guilt, like a burden, and confused. You may have tried all the positive coping skills, and ran out of positive thoughts and still nothing seem to be working and feel you have no other choice. If this is you I encourage you in this second to believe that a tomorrow with YOU in it is VERY MUCH POSSIBLE!

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the definition of suicide is defined by self-directed injury and behavior with intent, that results in death. A suicide attempt is a self-directed injury and behavior with the intent to result in death but may not. Suicide ideation refers to thoughts of injuring yourself, considering or planning it (2017). Suicide ideations also refers to thoughts of wanting to die, although you may not have a plan, and want to directly injure yourself. It can also refer to having thoughts of not wanting to wake up, or wanting others to harm you that result in death.

Who does suicide hurt? EVERYONE! It effects everyone around you, even distant peers, friends, and family but it most importantly it effects your life and your future. You may feel hopeless and alone but you still can have a better future regardless the circumstances.

What leads to suicide? There could be many reasons why someone would think about suicide such as severe depression and other severe mental illness, trauma, sudden crisis, and substance abuse, No matter what the reasons are, you don't need a reason to seek help and talk to someone about your thoughts. Your thoughts are valid and you don't have to feel shame about what they are and there is help out there if you just reach out. Please check out the links below!

suicideprevetionlifeline.org call 1-800-273-8255 or text "HELLO" to 741741

YouthLine-- Text teen2teen to 839863, or call 1-877-968-8491

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline-- 1-800-422-4453

National Domestic Violence Hotline-- 1-800-799-7233

RAINN-- (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)1-800-656-4673

LGBTQIA+ kids and teens The Trevor Project-- 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

Trans Lifeline-- 1-877-565-8860

Drugs and Alcohol SAMHSA National Helpline– 1-800-662-4357

A few other LGBTQIA helplines that offer support, but not necessarily crisis intervention:

• LGBT National Hotline -- 1-888-843-4564

• LGBT National Youth Talkline -- 1-800-246-7743

• LGBT Senior Hotline -- 1-888-234-7243

Teen suicide hotline (Thursday's Child National Youth Advocacy Hotline): 1-800-USA-KIDS (872-5437) (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

• Thursday's Child website (lists many additional teen hotlines): http://www.thursdayschild.org/

You Matter website: https://youmatter.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Christian Suicide Prevention website: http://www.christiansuicideprevention.com/

The veterans suicide hotline (Veterans Crisis Line): 1-800-273-8255, press 1 or text to 838255 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

• Veterans Crisis Line online chat: https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat

• Veterans Crisis Line website: http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Reference:

National Institute of Mental Health

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml