If you're thinking about suicide now

Stop - and take a few minutes to read this

I don't know who you are. All I know is that you're feeling deep pain and feel you cannot cope any longer.

I also know you're reading this right now and that's a positive sign.

I assume you're here because you're very worried about something and have considered ending your life. If it were possible, I'd be with you right now, at your side, so we could talk face-to-face, but since that can't be, we'll have to settle for communicating in writing.

I'm not going to argue with you about whether you should commit suicide or not, but if you're still with me, I'm hoping that this means that you feel a little uncertain about what you're considering.

It's normal to feel uncertain when thinking about death. In fact, although part of you is thinking about death, it's possible that part of you still wants to live.

Wait before you make such an important decision. You have all the time in the world; you can always commit suicide later.

A lot of people think about suicide because they can't see any other way out, because they feel they can't stand the pain any longer - the way you're feeling now. Don't think there's anything wrong with you for thinking this way, or that you're mad or weak. Suicide is NOT SOMETHING WE CHOOSE: it happens when the pain we feel is stronger than the resources we have to deal with it.

Suicide is not something that's right or wrong. It's not a character flaw or a moral failing. It's an IMBALANCE between pain and the resources we have for dealing with pain.

Suicidal thoughts can be overcome by:

1. finding a way to reduce the pain.

2. by increasing the resources we have for dealing with pain, or

3. both in combination.

There are no magic remedies but IT'S ALSO TRUE THAT:

Suicide is often a permanent solution to what is really only a     temporary problem.

Depressed people have a very narrow focus and fail to see things     objectively. Within a few days, the suicidal person's perspective may     change completely.

Most people who have considered committing suicide are later glad     to be alive. They didn't really want to end their lives: they just     wanted to avoid sadness and pain.    

Now I'm going to tell you a few things you should think about:

1. The most important step is to talk to someone. People like you, who     are thinking about suicide, shouldn't try to work things out by     themselves. You must seek help now.

2. Talking to your family or with a friend, colleague or classmate can     go a long way towards easing the pain you're feeling. When we feel     someone's there for us and we have their support, this increases     our ability to cope.

3. Time is on your side, you've got plenty of it. So wait before you act.

4. See a doctor as soon as possible. When someone is feeling down,     sad or discouraged, they may actually be depressed. Depression is     a medical condition that can be treated with medication or therapy.