How To Overcome Suicidal Thoughts

Have you ever thought about taking your life? Are there certain times in your life where you thought you’ve had enough and want to escape your sufferings? Depression is one of the deadliest emotional diseases of our time. I had never paid much attention to this reality until my friend from college took his life sometime in our second year. I really blamed myself for my inability to do something to save him during the times he was depressed. That was when this reality dawned on me. Tell you what, everyone is a thin line away from getting depressed and consequently committing suicide. I have from that incidence followed the subject of depression and suicide keenly and even realized from the statistics that it is even more venomous than I imagined.

Our thoughts are the most powerful gifts we are endowed with as humans and if not properly controlled could be as bad as the word suicide. At any point in time in our lives, thoughts of suicide could be raging in our minds. You should know that you are not the first and only person going through the adversities of life. Life could be so unfriendly but doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the world. If you are too busy thinking about committing suicide, doing these things can help you overcome it.

Stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Drugs and alcohol have the potency of triggering suicidal thoughts, resorting to them in your depressed state does not ameliorate your condition but rather exacerbate it. Many who are depressed see drugs and alcohol as their first point of call as solution to their problems. Stay away or get rid of these from your home to stay safe.

Ensure your safety.
Once these thoughts begin to fill your mind, stay away from things that are likely to be used to hurt yourself. Keep your home safe by getting rid of items like knives, guns, ropes, razors etc. You can always redraw to safer places to reduce the risk of committing suicide.

Talk to someone.
A problem shared is halved solved they say, If you have these thoughts coming in, find someone you can confide in such as a family member, family doctor, teacher, counselor etc. and share it with them. Many a time in this kind of condition all we need is to talk to someone and hear them say something good to us.

Don’t act immediately.
I can imagine your pain, I do understand that you have every right to be feeling the anguish of your predicament, but your thoughts shouldn’t degenerate into actions. It is always advisable not to make hasty decisions in this kind of state. Give yourself sometime and don’t act on your suicidal instincts. At least 48 hours wait will do. Who knows, help may arrive.

Keep yourself busy.
The best way to keep these thoughts from eating up your mind is to engage yourself in something productive or stress relieving. Go out with friends, go to the Cinema, the beach, listen to your favorite music, do your favorite sports etc.

When all is said and done, your life here on earth is precious to many people, your family, friends, colleagues and the nation as a whole. There are greater possibilities and hope behind every struggle we go through and suicide shouldn’t be on top of our list in the battles we fight in life.