We tend to characterize suicidal thoughts in two ways. Active and passive. Active suicidal thinking is when you think through a plan. You may not actually make the plan, but you’re thinking about options in your head. But of course you can start to execute the plan.
Self-harm can also be mistaken for suicidality. Sometimes it is the intention, but many times people will cut themselves to relieve tension for feel real. Some people may even take overdoses of pills as a way to get help, to show people they are hurting and need help.
One thing you can do is develop a suicide safety plan. This is something that’s best done with the help of your doctor or therapist. But if you don’t have one, you can still think through this yourself. The safety plan is a list of coping strategies and sources of support that you can have in place to use when you feel suicidal. Here is a 6-step safety plan based on research studies and I have references in the description. You want to write down these steps and I’ll have link to a template that you can download from my website.
Step one – identify warning signs.
Step two – write down coping strategies.
Step 3 – identify social contacts or settings that can distract you from the crisis.
Step 4 – engage friends or family members. You want to list 3 or more people in order of priority, with the first person on the list being the most supportive of you. Step 5 – contact a professional or an agency.
Step 6 – make your environment safe.
The last thing is to ask yourself What’s one thing currently in your life that is important
enough for me to stay alive. Write this one thing down on your list so you can keep yourself focused on the big reason you are going to implement this plan.
Here’s a suicide safety plan template you can use. Click to image to download.
If you want to track this on your phone, you can download the MY3 app from the iTunes or Google play
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK [8255]
References
Stanley, B. & Brown, G. (2011) Safety planning intervention: A brief intervention to mitigate suicide risk. Cognitive and Behavioral
Practice, 19(2), 256-264.
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Hi. Thank you so much. My daughter tried to kill herself. She sold everything or gave things away.. She then treated herself to a last meal then drive to a secluded place where she tried to kill herself, but was unsuccessful. She said she just got tired of this world. Prior to She didn’t give an indication that she felt this way. Now, I feel sick a some of the time because I should’ve been able to hear it in her voice or something. I love her with all my heart and it makes me feel just miserable and like a failure because I didn’t know. You are very correct when you said in a video depression can run in the family. I have depression and was recently diagnosed, but haven’t been able to tell her since she has isolated herself from the family. I am getting counseling and meds. I can’t thank you enough for your videos and print outs. Keep up the good work please.
Thank you. I really needed this! Im at the pshyciatric ER right now for suicide attemt and hopefully i Will get help now.
Hi Martina. Are you feeling better?
You’re welcome RaDonna. I’m so glad this was helpful for you. Thanks for commenting on my website – I didn’t think anyone came here LOL!
Thank you for all your videos. You give such useful information so clearly stated. This one was particularly helpful since I sometimes wonder if my thought would be considered suicidal but hearing this I think I am the ruminating existentialist type. I have discussed it with my therapist but your explanation made it clearer.