Suicide is Never The Answer
SAVE YOUR LIFE ... SAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE
Bullying and Cyberbullying can be difficult -- especially when it's happening to you. It hurts! Sometimes it's the most painful thing that can ever happen.
But it's NEVER worth taking your life!
Suicide is NEVER the answer! It ends all of your dreams, it's permanent -- you can't take it back, it hurts the people who love you --- and it doesn't solve the problem that's hurting you!
Whatever is hurting you so bad that you would even think of suicide has a solution. And that's NOT suicide.
You have choices and it's all about the choices you make ... for yourself or your decision to help a friend!
Are you hurting as a result of being bullied or cyberbullied?
Do you know someone who is hurting as a result of being bullied or cyberbullied?
Here are the Warning Signs for Suicide:
- Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
- Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
- Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
- Feeling hopeless
- Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
- Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
- Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
- Increasing alcohol or drug use
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
- Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
- Experiencing dramatic mood changes
- Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life
How to Help a Suicidal Friend:
Listen: People who are suicidal people think that they’re not understood. They think no one is listening and that no one takes them seriously.
Don’t be afraid to talk to them about suicide: If someone is feeling depressed, you’re not telling them to think about suicide. It’s actually safer to talk about it so you know what they’re thinking!
Accept your friend’s feelings: Take them seriously. Don’t try to cheer them up, don’t make jokes. DO get them help!
Ask your friend if they have a suicide plan: If they’ve thought their suicide plan out well, you know it’s time to get IMMEDIATE help for them.
Remove dangerous objects: Look for razors, sleeping pills, guns, knives, ropes that can be used for strangulation and remove them IMMEDIATELY.
Tell a trusted adult: This is not a secret you should ever keep – no matter how much your friend swears you to secrecy! Don’t make secrecy deals with anyone who is suicidal and tell a trusted adult IMMEDIATELY!
Support your friend: Let them know you’re concerned and urge them to stick it out a little longer – because things CAN change. Tell them that depressed feelings do change over time.
Make them understand that suicide is final--it cannot be changed.
DO NOT leave a person whom you feel is at "High Risk" for suicide alone, not even for a minute
If a person has told you they have suicidal feelings, have a plan, and have a time set, ALWAYS take them seriously. A person who is "high risk" for suicide should not be left alone. Keep talking to that person, stay with them or arrange for another party (someone who that person trusts and feels comfortable with) to stay with them.
Develop a plan for help with the person.
If you cannot develop a plan and a suicide attempt is imminent call "911."
There is help!
Talk to a trusted adult!
Or contact any of these organizations who can and will help you!
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline : 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433) or call 988
Deaf Hotline: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)
Yellow Ribbon : 303-429-3530
Boystown Hotline : 1-800-448-3000
Covenant House Nineline : 1-800-999-9999
GLBT National Youth Talkline : 1-800-246-PRIDE (1-800-246-7743).
If you or someone you know is on the verge of suicide PLEASE call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or go to the nearest hospital emergency room IMMEDIATELY so you can get help!
Mental Health Resources
The National Association of Free Clinics
http://www.freeclinics.us/
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
(202) 966-7300 www.aacap.org
National Institute of Mental Health
1-888-ANXIETY http://store.samhsa.gov/mhlocator
Mental Health America
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/farcry/go/searchMHA
American Association of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry http://myaccount.aacap.org/iweb/BuyersGuide/ProfessionalSearch.aspx
Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists
http://www.aglp.org/images/Directories/AGLPReferralDirectory2010.pdf
Hospitals: Call your local hospitals and ask what kinds of mental health services they offer — and at what price. Teaching hospitals, where doctors are trained, often provide low- or no-cost services.
Colleges and universities: If a college in your area offers graduate degrees in psychology or social work, the students might run free or low-cost clinics as part of their training.
On-campus health services: If you're in college or about to start, find out what kind of counseling and therapy your school offers and at what cost. Ask if they offer financial assistance for students.
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