Summary
Suicide is a devastating thing that affects many of our lives. Many people who end their lives do so without ever reaching out to anyone about how they are feeling. But the most important thing you can do if you are feeling suicidal is talk to someone. Read more here about suicidal thoughts, how to cope with them, and what to do if you or someone you know is struggling.
Are you feeling suicidal?
When you’re feeling suicidal, you might think there is nothing that can help. You might feel alone and scared and it can be hard to know what to do. But, things can get better. It’s so important to tell someone about how you feel.
Childline is always here to listen to you, support you and help you find a way through it. You can contact Childline at any time of the day or night. If you feel suicidal and you need help straight away, call 112 or 999.
Why do I feel this way?
Suicidal thoughts can happen to anyone. They can be caused by lots of different things. You may have experienced trauma such as bullying or abuse, or you may have lost someone close. You may be experiencing a mental health difficulty, or it may be something else. You might not know why you feel this way.
How do I cope with these thoughts and feelings?
Try to remember thoughts about wanting to end your life are just thoughts. They do not mean that you have to act on them. They also don’t mean that you will always have them.
Postpone any decision to end your life.
The most important thing you can do if you are having thoughts about suicide is to talk to someone. It helps to tell someone how you feel. It means you don’t have to carry the weight of it around on your own.
Is there a trusted adult you can talk to about how you’re feeling? Perhaps you might like to talk to a professional?
Understanding your feelings
Writing down your feelings, or keeping a journal, can be a great way to help you understand your situation. It can also help you to think about different solutions to problems.
Here are some other ways which might help you to cope with how you’re feeling:
Express yourself: You can get creative and draw, or paint, to express how you’re feeling.
Quality time: Perhaps you could spend time with loved ones or pets?
Activities: Do things you used to enjoy.
Coping tools: Think of what helped you to cope the last time.
Helping a friend who is suicidal
If you feel someone you know may be thinking about ending their life, it is important that you talk to a trusted adult about what is happening and get support. You do not have to go through this alone.
You have a right to support too. Childline is always here to listen to you and support all children and young people in Ireland.
Losing someone to suicide
Losing someone to suicide can be one of the most difficult things to go through in life. you may feel devastated, shocked and confused at the same time.
You may try to make sense of the death and look for an explanation. You may face questions such as ‘Why did they do it?’, ‘Could I have helped to prevent it?’, or ‘Am I to blame?’
You may also experience panic and feelings of tension or anxiety and / or deep sadness or depression.
It may help to remember:
- You are not alone when you are coping with the loss of a loved one. Talking can help you to express feelings which might be very hard to understand.
- Sharing your story and memories of your loved ones with friends and family can bring you comfort.
- For some, talking to somebody outside of your own family might be helpful. You can visit Pieta House for face-to-face suicide bereavement support.
There are many support services and groups that understand what you are going through and can help you to cope. You can find out more about getting help here.
Key takeaways
- If you’re having suicidal thoughts, postpone making any decision to act and consider speaking to someone about how you feel.
- Suicidal thoughts do not mean you have to act. Many of us have them at some time in our lives.
- There are some really helpful things you can do to cope when you’re feeling bad like writing, painting, doing an activity you love or even just cuddling a pet.
- The most important thing you can do when you feel this way is reach out to someone.
- Remember, things really can get better.
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