Suicide Prevention: Self-Care Tips

A common misconception about suicide is that suicidal thoughts are uncommon and suicidal attempts signal that a person cannot be helped. This simply is not true.

One in 33 Americans seriously thought about suicide in 2016, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That year, more than 1.25 million people survived a suicide attempt.

Many go on to live full, joyous and healthy lives; others continue to struggle with suicidal thoughts. But all are surviving. They have found ways to cope with the underlying pain, ways to get through the hard days we all have, ways to recognize when they need to ask for help.

Read the full article in USA Today for self-care suggestions from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255), as well as survivors’ coping techniques in their own words.

Recommendations include:

• Be kind to yourself, first and foremost
• Know that broken isn’t bad
• Cherish yourself
• Find your people
• Get outside yourself
• Talk to yourself like your best friend would
• Find comfort
• Hunt the good stuff
• Find a safe space
• Take action
• Say yes to therapy
• Recharge
• Fight the thoughts
• When in doubt, reach out

Source: USA Today | Suicide prevention: Self-care tips, true stories on how survivors cope, https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/surviving-suicide/2018/11/28/suicide-prevention-tips-true-stories-how-survivors-cope/1112169002/ | © 2018 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC

A screening can help you determine if you or someone you care about should contact a mental health professional. Care Coordinators can arrange a free 30 minute Care Consultation so you can explore options with an expert. Call or email our Care Coordinators at 650.688.3625 or careteam@chconline.org to set up an initial Consultation appointment.