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Suicide
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Feeling suicidal... Help!
Originally Published: May 06, 1994
~ Last Updated / Reviewed on: April 23, 2008
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ALICE, WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU FEEL SUICIDAL AND DON’T HAVE ANYONE TO TELL?
Dear Reader, It's almost impossible for a person to deal with serious thoughts of suicide alone. It was a big step for you to write in about your suicidal feelings. This is a step in the direction of living. From here, you can choose to reach out to others who can help you. The good news is that there are trained professionals waiting to help you through this. While it's not totally clear from what you wrote, it seems that you may go through times when you feel more vulnerable to killing yourself or getting the means to do so. In these times, you may be in crises. During crisis, part of you might want to die, but another part of you — if even a small part — wants to live. During crises, it's important to get in touch with professionals who can help you. You can get in touch with a trained counselor through a telephone crisis hotline. There are many hotlines, but the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline might be one of the best. You can reach them at 1.800.273.TALK (-8255). This free Lifeline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and everything you say will be confidential. On the other hand, you might feel that you aren't in danger of immediate harm to yourself. In this case, how would you feel about making an appointment with a mental health professional to explore your suicidal thoughts? Through this, you'll likely learn more about your suicidal thoughts and feelings. If you're at Columbia University, you can call Counseling and Psychological Services at x4-2878 to arrange an appointment with a counselor, if you wish. If you're at another college or university, you can contact your school's student mental health service center. If you're not eligible for university services, and you've got health insurance, the health insurance company might have a list of providers for you to choose from. Finally, if you're not in school and you're uninsured, please realize there are options. You can look in the local phone book for mental health care providers or centers that accept patients on a sliding fee scale, or on a fee-for-service basis. For example, in New York City you can call the New York City Youthline — a confidential, toll-free information and referral service for young people (available in English at 1.800.246.4646 or 311; for TDD or other languages call 1.800.246.4699 — Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 7 PM). In any case, you can be proud for reaching out to get help dealing with this difficult issue. Please continue to reach out and get the help you deserve. Through this, it might help to remind yourself about that part of you that wants to live. Please hang in there, Other helpful resources you can contact, whether or not you are in a crisis, are:
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