What to do if you are alone and thinking about suicide.

[Alffe]

Sit down and breathe deeply. Breathe deeply again and again.

Turn on the lights or open a door or window.

Pick up the phone and call a friend, even if you have to call collect. Talk to the operator
if you don't have strength to dial the number.

Say your name out loud. Say your friends' names out loud. Repeat and combine these
names with your name.

Cry, even if it means weeping bitterly. Scream; "God, why am I in such despair? Why
did you do this to me? Tell me why."

Pray. Say: "God, help me. Please give me a reason to live."

Touch yourself. Feel the rapid beating of your heart.

Turn on the television, radio, or stereo.

Close your eyes and think about The Wizard of Oz or chocolate ice cream or giraffes.

Get out a photo album and look at the pictures of your family and friends.

If you have a pet, pick it up and hold it tightly.

When you have the strength, get out from where you are. Go to the movies.
Go to the shopping mall. Go to a neighbor's or a friend's house. If you
are afraid to drive, run as fast as you can for as long as you can.

Get yourself to where there are people.


**********************

Taken from "A Reason to Live" by Melody Beattie

[Curious]

I thought it would be helpful to have hotline numbers in one place that is easy to find and easy to access quickly in an emergency situation.

Phone numbers-

1-800-273-TALK
1-800-273-8255

1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-784-2433

Deaf Hotline for TTY users -
1-800-799-4TTY
1-800-799-4889

Teen Hotline-
1-888-747-TEEN
1-888-747-8336


Canadian numbers are listed by Province on this site-
http://suicidehotlines.com/canada.html

Other International hotlines are listed by country on this site-
http://suicidehotlines.com/international.html


Websites-

http://suicidehotlines.com/

http://suicidehotlines.com/national.html
__________________
information curtesy of Wittesea

[bizi]

Coping with a Crisis

If you need immediate help or if you are having thoughts of death or suicide, call
1-800-273-TALK or if you need immediate assistance call 911
or go to a hospital emergency room.


What if I am feeling suicidal?

Remember:
Suicidal thoughts are temporary. Suicide is permanent. Don’t give in to suicidal thoughts— you can overcome them.
Your feelings of hopelessness are not the truth. When you feel this way, it’s your illness talking— your mind is lying to you. Remind yourself that suicidal thoughts are not reality.
If you are thinking of suicide, it is important to recognize these thoughts for what they are: expressions of a treatable medical illness. They are not true and they are not your fault. Don’t let fear, shame or embarrassment stand in the way of communication with your physician, therapist, family, or friends; tell someone right away.
Tell a trusted family member, friend, or other support person, someone you can talk with honestly. Try not to be alone when you feel this way. This may mean sitting quietly with a family member or friend, going to a support group or going to a hospital.
Get help. Tell your health care professional. Suicidal thinking can be treated. When suicidal thoughts occur, they are your signal that, more than ever, you need help from a professional.
Know that you can get through this. Promise yourself you will hold on for another day, hour, minute, or whatever you can manage.
If you are feeling "out of control", it's important to seek help immediately---even if you are not having suicidal thoughts.


How can I be prepared for a crisis?

Often, crises happen without warning, and the best thing you can do to prepare yourself is to make a crisis-plan list for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This list should be shared with everyone you choose. Briefly describe the kind of help you (or your loved one) would like to receive if you have severe depressive or manic symptoms.
Include:

Doctor(s)’ name(s) and contact information
Contact information of support group and other trusted friends/family members
Other health problems and medications
Allergies to/intolerance of any medication
Insurance or Medicaid information and preferred treatment facilities
Things that might trigger an episode, such as life events, travel, physical illness or work stress
Warning signs such as talking very fast, paranoia, lack of sleep, slowed down movement, excessive alcohol or drug use
Things people can say that are calming and reassuring
Things people should do in crisis such as take away car keys and lock up anything dangerous such as weapons and medications
Things emergency staff can do, such as explain things, talk slowly, observe personal space, or write things
Reasons life is worthwhile and recovery is importantHow should I talk to a person in crisis?


Stay calm. Talk slowly and use reassuring tones.
Realize you may have trouble communicating with your loved one. Ask simple questions. Repeat them if necessary, using the same words each time.
Don’t take your loved one’s actions or hurtful words personally.
Say, “I’m here. I care. I want to help. How can I help you?”
Don’t say, “Snap out of it,” “Get over it,” or “Stop acting crazy.”
Don’t handle the crisis alone. Call family, friends, neighbors, people from your place of worship or people from a local support group to help you.
Don’t threaten to call 911 unless you intend to. When you call 911, police and/or an ambulance are likely to come to your house. This may make your loved one more upset, so use 911 only when you or someone else is in immediate danger.Hotline information (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=crisis_hotlineinfo)

Suicide prevention information (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=crisis_suicide_suicide)
Find a treatment facility (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=empower_findcenter)

Find a mental health professional (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=empower_finddoc)
Learn about creating an advance directive (http://www.dbsalliance.org/site/PageServer?pagename=empower_advancedirectives)

[Koala77]

Please take a moment to watch this video.

Don't Let Go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjJ2gKcO71M