Suicide Prevention Resources

Focus on reasons to keep going.

This might be hard to do. You might think, "If I could focus on reasons to keep going, I wouldn't have thoughts about suicide." But you're here, reading this right now, because you want to overcome those thoughts. So take your time, and try to write down some things that are important or valuable to you. They don't have to be huge or profound. Everyday things count, too.

If at any point this exercise makes you feel uncomfortable or worse, stop and come back to it when you feel ready.

Here are some ideas to help you get started:

• Write about people who mean something to you. What do you like about them? Write down some positive things you've done together, or why they make a difference in your life.
  Examples: A parent, a teacher, a friend, a coworker, the convenience store clerk who tells good jokes.

• List some goals or dreams you have for the future.
  Examples: Swimming in the ocean, taking a road trip, getting a dog.

• List some of your favorite activities and the reasons you enjoy them.
  Example: "Riding my bike, because I can see and hear things I can't when I'm in a car or on a bus."

• Write about some things that bring joy to your life.
  Examples: Hot showers, a pet, watching movies on the weekend, peanut butter and jelly sold in the same jar.

• Write about some things that give you hope.
  Examples: A good TV show getting renewed for another season, ocean plastic being turned into clothing, children playing.

Hopefully this exercise was helpful. But if it was hard to come up with any examples, you may need some more help to deal with the pain you're feeling right now. Call your counselor right away. If you don't have a counselor, make an appointment to see one. If you need help finding a counselor, a behavioral health care manager can help. To contact a Martin's Point behavioral health care manager, please call 1-877-659-2403.

Read recovery stories.

There may be times when you just don't feel like others can understand. But remember, many people do understand. A lot of people have been where you are right now or have experienced something like it. Those people can give you hope. They can also share things that helped them overcome thoughts of suicide that might help you too. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline website at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/stories is a good place to start.

Connect with others for support.

Talking with others who are going through similar things can help. Your area may have mental health support groups. You can find local groups by asking your doctor, searching online, or calling your local suicide prevention hotline and asking them for more info. If there are no groups near you, check out online options. For example, the Anxiety & Depression Association of America offers an online peer support group. Go to adaa.org/find-help/support/support-groups to learn more.

A behavioral health care manager can help you find local support groups and resources. To contact a Martin’s Point behavioral health care manager, please call 1-877-659-2403.

Everyone's experience with suicidal thoughts is different. The tips above will be helpful for some people, while others might find them harder to connect with. If these tips aren't helpful to you, it doesn't mean you can't be helped. You just might need an approach that's more tailored to you. Contact a counselor or other mental health professional. They can help you.