7 Positive Actions if You Are Feeling Suicidal
No matter how low you might feel in the moment, you are never a lost cause. If you’re having suicidal thoughts, it doesn’t mean you are crazy or that something is wrong with you. It just means you are experiencing painful emotions that are too difficult to deal with on your own.
The most important thing to remember is that suicide is final. There’s no bouncing back so the best thing you can do, even if you don’t believe it will help, is to take action steps that lead you away from the edge.
Follow these 7 positive actions if you are feeling suicidal or are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
1 - Delay Action & Step Back from Your Thoughts
A lot of good can happen when you allow some time to pass between a feeling and a reaction. When you are having suicidal thoughts, remember there is a difference between thinking about something and actually doing it. Promise yourself you will not act harmfully toward yourself for a set period of time (say, a week) and then find a positive way to distract yourself from your suicidal thoughts like going for a walk or calling a friend. Creating distance between your thoughts and actions gives you time for your emotions to lift and to see things from a new perspective.
2 - Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
Drowning your sorrows may seem like the perfect way to numb out, but avoid using nonprescription drugs and alcohol if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts.
3 - Make your Environment Safe
To eliminate the possibility of doing something impulsive to harm yourself, it’s best to remove all potential hazards from your environment, such as weapons, pills or sharp objects.
4 – Seek Connection with Others.
Call a friend, a family member or the crisis hotline. Isolation can increase the intensity of your suicidal thoughts. Talking about your feelings and thoughts with someone else can help to reduce the intensity of your feelings and will make you feel less alone in your pain. Sharing how you feel can be a release for you and also enrolls someone else in helping you, should you need it.
5- Hold Hope
With the right support, many men who experience depression and suicidal thoughts are able to regain their sense of purpose and joy and go on to live a good and meaningful life. Your current thoughts do not have to define your future.
6 - Reach Out for Professional Support
As long as you are alive, it’s never too late to ask for help. Many men feel ashamed about their depression and especially about having suicidal thoughts. It makes them feel weak or embarrassed to feel so helpless. But seeking professional help - whether it’s a psychotherapist, a spiritual/religious leader, a physician or someone on the other end of a crisis helpline - is paramount to getting better.
By talking with a professional about your feelings and accepting advice from a trained individual who understands what you are going through, you’ll gain valuable insights and learn techniques that can help you move away from your suicidal thoughts.
7 – Post Suicidal Thoughts
Even when you’re feeling better, if you have been in such a dark emotional place that you have contemplated suicide, you need to seek help. Your best shot for staying in a positive and healthy headspace is to work on the underlying issues that had you considering suicide.
If you are struggling with depression and have also had thoughts of suicide, remember, your thoughts and feelings are impermanent. Even when you are feeling your lowest or like you can’t take it anymore, hold on to the hope that things will get better. Take action to surround yourself with loving people and professional support and trust that you will recover and heal from this traumatic experience.
As always, if you or a guy you know could use professional support with a mental health issue, I hope you’ll reach out and schedule a free 20-minute phone consultation.
Simon G. Niblock, MA, LMFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, specializing in men’s mental health and wellness. He provides tailored psychotherapy services and online programs for men and is the author of the Anxiety Workbook for Men, Evidence-based Exercises to Manage Anxiety, Depression, and Worry.
Important Notice: The content in this article is for informational purposes only. It does not replace direct professional mental health, medical treatment, or professional care in any way. Seek the support of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider to diagnose and treat any mental health concern directly. Contact 911 or your local emergency services number if you are experiencing a mental health emergency.
