Guest Post: Help for Teens Struggling with the Darkness of Suicidal Thoughts: A Prevention Toolkit

The most common underlying cause of suicidal thoughts is depression – a medical condition that affects millions of people. It’s not a brain defect and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It is simply a condition that, like other medical issues, can be treated and managed through treatment, counseling, and various lifestyle changes. For both boys and girls, depression increases the risk of suicide 12-fold, and can lead to negative coping mechanisms such as substance abuse. In order to get to the heart of thoughts of suicide, it’s important to tackle what’s likely causing them. 

Use this toolkit for helpful resources and tips as you navigate this journey to the top.

Helpful Resources

When you are struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide, it can make you feel as if all hope is lost. The funk your brain is in is tricking you into thinking you can’t do this, but you can! When your mind is playing games, here are some resources to reach out to:

●      Access help 24/7 with the Crisis Text Line.

●      Put the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on speed dial.

●      Reach out to other teens.

●      Browse helpful information at the SPTS website.

●      Educate yourself about depression.

Steps to Take If You Are Having Suicidal Thoughts

Stop and Think.

First and foremost, if you’re currently thinking about harming yourself the first thing you should do is take a step back. Commit to at least 24 hours to let your emotions settle. Suicide is permanent, while emotions can be fleeting. Take some time to think. It’s vital that you know that you are not alone. Some of the most admired and accomplished people have been overwhelmed by depression and contemplated ending their life. Rest assured that your depression can be treated, driving away thoughts of suicide and that feeling of hopelessness.

Build Your Network

Do not try to deal with your suicidal thoughts by yourself. Reach out to someone. If you want to talk to someone other than a friend or family member, there are many suicide lifelines out there that will help you any day of the year, any time of the day. Talk with your parents or caregivers about your thoughts. Your biggest ally during this time will be your support network. If you are worried about how they will react, or don’t feel comfortable talking to them, consider using one of these letters and simply sign your name at the bottom.

If you need a number right now, dial 1-800-273-8255.

Get Professional Help

Building your support network is a great start, but depression is a mental illness that is best treated by a professional. They will be able to create the treatment plan that works best for you, and become yet another member of your growing network of support.

Extra Tools to Tackle Your Depression

●      Get up and get moving.

●      Practice deep breathing and yoga.

●      Adopt a service dog.

●      Get a good night’s sleep.

●      Fuel your body with the proper nutrition.

When it comes to depression and suicide, there is an established link. Untreated depression is a leading cause of suicide attempts and completions. If you are feeling depressed, talk to someone. Seek help from a mental health professional. You are not alone and you can get through this.

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com


By Mariah Kaye Williams
Ever since her daughter-in-law was suicidal three years ago, Mariah Williams resolved to fight stressors in her own life and encouraged those she loves to do the same. Mariah now researches and writes daily to promote self-care. 

Mental Illness is Freeing - Guest Post

A gift that many people who have mental illness have been given is that of artistic expression. Through whatever medium that gift has been given, we are able to express ourselves, and within that expressiveness comes a freedom from the craziness that can surround mental illness. It is an expression of sanity and soundness of mind.

Within the scope of mental illness come many emotions, diagnoses, and stigmas. Much of the time, we are not treated as we should be, as people...and as people worthy of dignity and respect. Not only do we have past abusers, and many of us present abusers, the mental health system--the very system that we are looking to help us--fails us miserably. And for many, we want to run...runaway from it all--just to escape from all the craziness with which the whole mental illness thing brings with it and surrounds us.

I don't have all my mental health issues worked out or worked through, yet I have realized that the working out and working through of these issues is up to me and not up to others. Whether I receive the help I seek from mental health professionals or not, I am able and not disabled from helping myself. And as I am someone who feels that the mental health system, especially that of government services, is a failing system of healthcare, I have had to look to not only to God as a source of recovery, but to myself.

And as neuroscience develops, it is proving that the brain has the ability to heal itself and to change its neuropaths. But much of this depends on us. It is said, "Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result." If this is true, then much does depend on us for our own recovery. I put blame for my illness on many people and circumstances. Though many people and circumstances did cause stressors that triggered the symptoms of my mental illness, I have learned that it was not these people and things I was running away from, but myself. And as I have taken responsibility, though still symptomatic at times, I feel empowered to have some control over my symptoms.

It was my general practitioner and not a psychiatrist who recently told me, "Your job is not to become psychotic." I agree. And I have given myself permission to be a person with a mental illness, to publicly be known as someone with a mental illness, and to take care of myself as someone with a mental illness. In these expressions, for me, has come a freedom that I have not known before, as secrets have been kept and illness closeted. But now I am out, and out there with those of you who have also put yourselves out there. We are the brave, and in our bravado, I believe, we are also free!

By Deborah Thorwart



 Copyright:
nexusplexus / 123RF Stock Photo

Bipolar is Not an Adjective - Guest Post

“She is bipolar.”  “You are bipolar.”  “I am bipolar.”

Why is the word bipolar used as an adjective?

Does someone with cancer say “I am cancer”?  How about “I am herpes.”  LOL.  It’s comical.

Well, it would be comical if illness-used-as-an-adjective didn’t convert it into an insult.

“You’re cancer.”

“You’re herpes.”

I am not bipolar.  You are not bipolar.

I have bipolar.  You have bipolar.

Illness is a noun, not an adjective.

Spread the word.

About Brooke Jones

My blog entries are my real-life.  Detailed for your amusement are my personal experiences of navigating this world armed only with mood swings, the attention span of a gnat and a shitload of character. 

I'm an avid hobbyist, convicted wordophile, and a ravenous collector of aliases.  This affliction began in early childhood.  Why be one person for your whole entire life, when you can be dozens if you want?  Titles include (but are not limited to):  HBIC, Americas Sweetheart, Brick House, Cat Five, Auntie, The Vibe, Alleged Felon, Pitbull Owner, and the most recently added moniker of "Delightful Prisoner."  Check out my blog “Cuffed n Stuffed” to read about how I earned that one.

http://www.BrookeBrightandDark.Blogspot.com