The depths of depression bring on some pretty dark thoughts, and once you get into the territory of suicidal thoughts, its hard to get out of it. The repetitive thoughts of being a burden, being useless and would be better off dead seem louder than any other voice, so let’s talk about some ways we can pull ourselves away from those thoughts;
- Write down some reasons you may want to live. Is there a special occasion coming up? do you want to watch a niece or nephew grow up? to travel somewhere you’ve never been? It’s hard to do these things in the moment but even finding one thing may provide some hope to stay around one more day.
- Do something different. It’s likely you’ve struggled to get out of bed, haven’t eaten anything nutritional and likely haven’t taken care of your personal hygiene. Start small, could you brush your hair? take a shower if its safe to do so? try to go for a walk outside? One time I went to a cemetery just to cry and not be bothered, I found that at least the fresh air helped.
- Reach out to your support system. Send a text, if you can, to a family member, friend or your therapist to share that you’re not doing well. If you haven’t worked out ways to be supported in the past, refer to my post on how to ask for help using numbers to find some ways to be supported more easily.
- Go to the hospital and ask for an assessment of your medication, if you’re on meds, to see if a small increase in dosage or a change in medication could be helpful. Yes, I know it sucks to go but it could help.
Snuggle a pet, put on a familiar show and remember that life doesn’t need to feel purposeful today. Today you’re just looking for one small sign of hope to get you to tomorrow, and the day after that. Take it one day at a time and know that you deserve to live, you deserve to be here and you are wanted.
Call: Crisis Services Hotline available 24/7: 1-844-437-3247
Text: 45645, 4 PM – 12 AM ET
Go to the hospital nearest you
You deserve to live
<3 Meg