If you’ve had thoughts about killing yourself, yes, you’re having suicidal thoughts. The good news is that most people who have suicidal thoughts do not kill themselves. On the other hand, some do commit suicide.
Twenty percent of those who commit suicide, express their suicidal thoughts to a professional before actually taking their life.
Eighty percent of suicides committed in the United States are men; that’s 16 female suicides for every 66 male suicide victims every day.
Life is a balancing act, and it’s not uncommon for someone to have suicidal thoughts when life throws what may feel like insurmountable obstacles or challenges at you. This could make anyone have a sense of helplessness or hopelessness. When challenges feel like they’re so overwhelming that you feel like you just cannot muster the wherewithal to handle it, you might consider death as the only means to escape the pain you’re feeling.
Many of the challenges we face that make us feel like we have no other options, include financial struggles. Even in this day and age, men are considered to be the financial providers and this adds pressure to their ability to support themselves or their family. When they face the inability to adequately maintain a positive cash flow, the pain of failing themselves and the people who depend on them can be enough to push someone over the edge.
The separation and loneliness of losing a loved one can be devastating, and your inability to cope with living life without him or her, or longing to see that person on the other side, has you thinking about taking your own life.
Other life struggles that can cause you to have suicidal thoughts include the grief, remorse, rejection, breakup of a romantic love interest, unexpected job loss, physical and/or sexual abuse, or the stress and pain of having to deal with a longstanding or potentially life-threatening illness or disease.
When emotional pain, which can be just as real as physical pain if not more so, or physical pain becomes unmanageable suicidal thoughts may suggest death as the only way to stop the pain of living.
There appears to be a notable percentage of likelihood that you might have an increased potential of entertaining thoughts of suicide and following through to take your own life if someone in your family has already done so.
Emotional instability, depression, mental illness, personality disorders, feeling isolated, and/or being misunderstood could increase your chances of having suicidal thoughts.
If you’re lucky enough to be with someone who displays signs of having thoughts of suicide you may see them appear to be having internal struggles, or an incongruent balance between their inner thoughts and external life.
Sometimes the inner dialogues are expressed outwardly by talking about death and dying, taking their own life, regrets about not having had the time to accomplish things they wanted to do before they died, how their life did not amount to much, or their failure to offer a contribution to the greater community. You might have a sense that when they are saying, “Goodbye,” that they might be saying it for the last time.
Other non-verbal indications of entertaining suicidal thought might include sudden changes in personality, routine, sleep patterns, or other methods of interacting with or managing life, such as increased drinking, eating, or taking drugs, or decreased interest in social interaction, material possessions, or other activities which may have previously been enjoyable. They might be making the arrangements by giving things away or writing unsent salutary letters to be found after they’re gone.
Although you may be able to see some external indication of someone having suicidal thoughts, more likely than not, you will have no clue. Thoughts of suicide are very personal and can be quite contradictory to what someone’s life looks like on the outside. It’s difficult, if not impossible, to know what’s really going on inside someone’s head and/or heart.
No doubt, life can be very hard, and there will be times when you feel like you just can’t take one more day, and this can be your breakthrough moment.
Some of the best stories start with, “I had no reason to live and I was contemplating suicide,” and could be the opening line of your best story ever.
It will take some work, but you can take all your feelings and turn them into the fuel necessary to embrace your life, your life’s calling, live a better life, your best life, and make the world a better place.
But you’ve got to get a grip. Say, “No,” to drugs and alcohol, and stop trying to hide yourself away. Get out there, take a walk, smile, and say, “Hi,” to people as you pass them by. Be mindful of what you put in your body and find ways to sleep better.
Start looking for all the good things in life and make the time to partake in activities that make you feel good.
Get in touch with your purpose, message, passion, and mission (PMPM) and turn your angst into a powerful ministry. The world needs to hear your voice, your story, your message because you’re not the only one. Think of the others, who are also having thoughts of suicide, right now… You can make a difference, give them hope, and show them how you turned your life around.
You are loved. You are love.
Love is calling you to a greater expression of yourself. Live, love, and shine your light.
And you don’t have to do this alone… because you are never alone.