How to Say No to Suicide

black book written suicide with purple flower on floor beside it

Saying no to suicide has to be the biggest no to say.

It means you have decided to say no to the sorrow that would have hit your family and loved ones if you had passed away by your own hand. It means you have decided to face your fears and live through the difficult situation you are facing.

One major cause of suicide is depression which means, a lot of people who committed suicide didn’t just wake up one day to do that. It took some of them days, weeks, months and even years of struggle to arrive at that decision.

If you are depressed or going through hard times and the thought of suicide keeps crossing your mind, you need to know these:

You are not alone.

Many people have been in similar or even worse situations than you and they lived through their problems. They sailed through them. If they could, then you can too.

You have a thousand reasons to live.

Knowing this can change your attitude towards the situation. You just need to discover your reasons to live and beat depression and suicidal thoughts.

You can overcome depression if you seek help.

Talking to someone and seeking medical help will help you overcome depression.

1. Find a simple reason to live. Hold on to it till you figure out how to solve the problem that’s weighing you down.

Sometimes we just have to be like a little child sitting on the ground at a park, wailing and beckoning to his mum not to leave him. Yet at the sight of a chocolate bar in his father’s hand, he gets up and grabs it. But still, he sobs and calls “mummy” under his breath as he eats the chocolate.

It’s something like: Mummy is gone. I can’t do anything about it. I will definitely miss her but right now, I need to get up and get that chocolate.

Like that child, we need to find a simple reason to get up and live. It could be someone’s smile. It could be your pet (Who is going to feed it?), or your purpose (Who is going to fulfil it for you?) and so on.

When you find that one reason, then you will find a thousand more reasons to continue living. I call these reasons “God’s blessings” and they are numerous. You just need to find them and live out each day with thanksgiving and joy.

2. Talk to someone about your situation.

Talking to someone doesn’t necessarily mean a family member or friend especially when they are involved in the situation. You can talk to a professional (therapist, counsellor or doctor).

This will help you through the hard journey. Someone might say, “But I don’t have the money for sessions with a professional.” You can also talk to your spiritual head or someone you hold in high esteem. Note that, these persons might not directly have the solution to the problem but sharing it with them makes it their problem too. You don’t have to carry all the burdens alone. A problem shared is half solved.

3. Take responsibility and be patient.

Don’t just talk to people. Take responsibility too. If you seek the help of a professional or anyone and you are advised to do something that will help you, please strive to do them. It might take time to see results, so just be patient.Do not seek an instant solution. You might not find one and that might frustrate you the more. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Try to celebrate and write down your little wins in the process.

4. Don’t be selfish.

Thinking about others is another way to say no to suicide. Think about the pain, the hurt and the stigma the people who care about you will go through if you commit suicide. Don’t just think about relieving yourself of your pain while others carry the hurt for the rest of their lives. Decide not to be selfish.

5. And above all, talk to God about everything.

Meditating on the word of God and talking to God will help you remain calm in the midst of the problem. When you do this, your heart will be opened to solutions. And also, remember the word of the Lord says, “Thou shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13).

6. Say no to suicide.

If you are strong enough to want to take your own life. I think you are strong enough to live and overcome that situation you want to take your life for. Channel your strength to boldly saying no to suicide today.

Ajimuda Evelyn is a writer, a poet and a blogger. She is a creative who brings imaginations alive.