Common questions about suicidal feelings
What do I do if I feel like it's an emergency?
Having these thoughts is actually more common than most people realise. When people feel hopeless, trapped or unhappy, it’s natural to want those feelings to go away or want your situation to change. Sometimes that means people start thinking of death as an option - but actually, many people agree that if they could change their situation, they wouldn't feel like ending their life anymore. This is an indication that really most people don't want to end their life, they want to end the pain they are experiencing. Does this mean I am going crazy? Absolutely not! Just because you’re having these thoughts, it doesn’t mean you are doomed or that you will always feel this way or that you are going to get worse. In fact, having these thoughts are your brains way of telling you that you want things to change and you want the pain to go away. For many people, this is often the first step to getting help and support. Create your own safety plan Even though these thoughts may seem really overwhelming, it's important to remember that you are still in control of your body and your actions. With the right steps at the right time, these thoughts can and do go away, even if they are really full on. It can be helpful to have a plan in place for when these thoughts come on. Follow the steps below to create your own safety plan - make sure you have a pen and paper. Step 1: Recognise. Think about high-risk or triggering situations (like certain people, places or thinking patterns, as well as drug and alcohol use) and do your best to avoid these or if you can’t avoid them, prepare to get support afterwards. To do: Write down all the warning signs and triggers you recognise by answering these questions.
This may seem like a really hard step, but if you’re in a bad space, it’s best to get rid of the means so that you have some time to think about other options rather than taking steps to harm yourself. To do: write down how you will get rid of the things around you that you could use to harm yourself or places that are unsafe for you to be. Step 3: Grounding. Refocusing your mind and grounding your body can help you feel safe again pretty quickly. Often this is enough for the thoughts to ease off and feel less overwhelming. Some suggestions…
Step 4: Connecting. If you’ve tried some of the grounding strategies and things are still feeling pretty intense, make sure you’re not alone and find ways to connect with others. This could include…
Step 5: Getting Support. If you’re feeling you may not manage on your own and you’re needing some outside help, that’s okay. There are people there to help.Some suggestions…
To do: Write down the professionals that can help, including the numbers above. Other tips!
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Other tips for staying safe
Suicide Prevention song by Logic
"... the power that I have as an artist with a voice." - Logic" 1-800-273-8255" is a song released on April 28, 2017 by the American rapper Logic. During the 2017 MTV VMAs, Logic took the stage with Khalid and Alessia Cara to perform his track "1-800-273-8255" named after the suicide prevention hotline. The song, which features Alessia Cara and Khalid, begins from the perspective of someone calling the number — known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — and confessing that they “don’t want to be alive”. Ultimately, the song delivers a message of hope — the second verse features the lyrics “You don’t gotta die, I want you to be alive,” told from the perspective of the person offering emotional support at the other end of the line. The song’s final lyrics find the caller determined to keep fighting: “The lane I travel feels alone / but I’m moving ’til my legs give out / and I see my tears melt in the snow / but I don’t wanna cry / I don’t wanna cry anymore / I wanna feel alive / I don’t even wanna die anymore.” This song is Logic way of giving back to his fans while making a real difference. In a recent interview Logic breaks down the making of “1-800-273-8255” and explains: “When I jumped on a tour bus that started in Los Angeles, California and I ended in New York City and did a fan tour where I went to fan’s houses and shared meals with them, hung out with them, played them my album before it came out,” he explains. “Them along with other people on tour, just fans that I met randomly, they’ve said things like, ‘Your music has saved my life. You’ve saved my life.’ And I give them a hug and shit but in my mind, I’m like, “What the f**k?” And they’re really serious. And they tat s**t on their arms and get s**t like lyrics that save their life and in my mind, I was like, “Man I wasn’t even trying to save nobody’s life.” And then it hit me, the power that I have as an artist with a voice. I wasn’t even trying to save your life. Now what can happened if I actually did?” - Logic |