|
Managing Against Tomorrow - Suicide Prevention, Part I - Page 2
© John McManamy
Page 2
May 18, 1999
About posting your cry for help on the Internet: Choose your site or mailing list very carefully. If you are new and posting to a very busy list, your appeal may be lost in the shuffle. At the opposite end, your message may go completely unread on bulletin boards with little or no traffic. It may take a few weeks before you establish a presence on a particular list or board. By then, you will probably be on email or ICQ terms with some of the members. Look up the numbers of various local suicide hotlines and keep them where you can find them. Familiarize yourself with the Internet crisis and suicide sites and bookmark the ones you like. (See the list of links on this page.)Establish a close relationship with your doctor or psychiatrist. Ask yourself: is this someone you can call on in the middle of the night? Or, if not, will someone be there to respond to your call?Remove all guns and rifles from your home. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 60 percent of all suicides are committed with a firearm. This is not an anti-NRA message. We're just being sensible, that's all.The same principle that applies to firearms applies in part to medications. The tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants can be fatal in overdose. You may want to switch to a different antidepressant if you don't trust yourself. If you must keep certain medicines in the house, it may be advisable to turn them over to a loved one. Watch your thoughts and feelings very carefully. You may be able to pick up subtle signals in your mind, before a full-scale crisis overwhelms you. Actually visualizing the act should set off every warning bell.IN AN ACTUAL CRISIS All too often, a suicidal depression catches us alone and off-guard. Notwithstanding all we have to live for and all those who care for us, the brain in crisis has a perverse way of having us think the very opposite. To those of you who are in this state right now: - Promise yourself another 24 hours.
- Check this web page right now:
- Now call a trusted friend or loved one or a crisis hotline. Remember, there is no shame in reaching out.
- Your other option is calling your psychiatrist or getting yourself to the emergency room.
- Time is of the essence. Do not delay in seeking help.
- Be persistent. Do not be put off by the bad practices of some of the health system's gate keepers. You are there to get help and you are there to get it NOW.
Go To Page:
1
2
3
The copyright of the article Managing Against Tomorrow - Suicide Prevention, Part I - Page 2 in Depression is owned by John McManamy. Permission to republish Managing Against Tomorrow - Suicide Prevention, Part I - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
In response to message posted by catheri948:
Catherine: I'm sure you have talked to God about this problem. I do everyday. He is th ...
|
In response to message posted by catheri948:
For me, depression kind of sneaks out in bursts of fear-based anger, crying fits, hyste ...
|
In response to message posted by catheri948:
An excellent book, Catherine. ...
|
In response to message posted by mcman:
i have just ordered a book by william styron. he writes about depression. i have heard that i ...
|
In response to message posted by catheri948:
Hi,Catherine. Then you may want to read about other people's experiences with depressi ...
|
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to
John McManamy's
Depression topic, please visit the Discussions page.
|
