How To Prevent Suicidal Thoughts: 4 Effective Methods To Support Your Mental Health

Suicidal thoughts involve a person thinking about ending their life. These negative thoughts are more common than you think. In India alone, almost 1 lakh 64 thousand people died by suicide in 2021, taking the country’s suicide rate to an alarming 12.0 (per lakh population). Proper treatment and support can help in the prevention of suicidal thoughts.

What you need to know:

Understanding the importance of suicide prevention

Suicide is a global problem affecting millions of people every year. For the longest time, issues associated with mental health and suicide have been spoken about in hushed tones. Getting rid of this stigma attached to mental health struggles is the need of the hour, as it discourages people from seeking the help they need. Therefore, prioritizing mental health and getting professional help to curb suicidal thoughts is imperative.

Recognizing the signs of suicidal thoughts

Individuals who experience suicidal thoughts do not always display easily noticeable signs of their inner emotional turmoil. Therefore, it is essential to understand the signs and symptoms to build a supportive environment and take practical steps that can help prevent suicidal thoughts.

If you are wondering “how to prevent suicidal thoughts,” here are some signs and symptoms:

Depression, anxiety, hopelessness, or sadness with feelings of rage
A sense of low self-esteem, shame, regret, or guilt
Fluctuations in your mood levels
Isolation
Relying on alcohol or narcotics for temporary relief from painful emotions and thoughts
Sleeping disorders

How to prevent suicidal thoughts?

Here are some techniques you can use to prevent suicidal thoughts:

Seeking professional help

Recognizing when you need support and finding ways to access it can help reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts. Consult a therapist and talk about your feelings and problems freely. They can also help you see your situation differently, which can help you cope with your concerns.

Building a support network

Build a robust support system or try to have trusted friends and family members that you can turn to at any point. If your support system is unavailable or unable to support you at any given point in time, contact a helpline number. Understand that talking about your situation can help release repressed feelings. A healthy support network will reduce the feeling of isolation, promote a sense of belonging and help cultivate emotionally healthy relationships, which, along with a sense of togetherness with the community, can enable you to keep suicidal thoughts at bay.

Do not hesitate to seek professional help who can guide you to understand and deal with these emotions and situations better.

Developing coping mechanisms

Arming yourself with specific life skills like stress management and journaling can make you more resilient and help you cope with life’s challenges. Here are some ways to build healthy coping mechanisms:

Make your surroundings safe: Check your surroundings and create a safe environment for yourself. Keep your emergency contacts and a list of supportive individuals handy so you can turn to them in times of crisis.
Find healthy distractions: Make sure to incorporate healthy habits like painting, gardening or practising yoga postures when caught up in a chain of negative thoughts. These activities can channel your negative thoughts into positive ones, helping you feel better.
Find positive memories: Dig into your photos, favourite videos, or music – anything that reminds you of memorable and happy times and can distract you from negative thoughts.

Promoting mental health awareness

It is essential to have open conversations about mental health and suicidal thoughts to bridge the knowledge gap. Showing empathy, kindness, and compassion to yourself or others who are experiencing these emotions goes a long way in preserving one’s mental well-being.

Now that you know “how to prevent suicidal thoughts?” consider supporting other people with proper care if you see them struggling. Suicidal thoughts are often signs of extreme distress and must not be ignored.

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