CRISIS INFORMATION

Sometimes it's hard to admit that we need other people.  Sometimes depression and suicidal thoughts make you feel hurt and angry towards the world and the people in it.  But the truth is, nothing can really substitute for human contact - we do need people.

"But I'm embarrassed.  I don't know what to say or how to start.  And what are people going to think?"

Imagine you have just fallen down the stairs in your house.  You glance down and it's immediately obvious that your leg is broken.  You start screaming as the pain sets in.  You yell for help at the top of your lungs whether or not anyone is home - you don't really have a choice, it just happens.  You are not articulate, you are not calm, and you are certainly not cool.  You need help NOW and you know it.  This is what people with expertise and knowledge are trained to handle, so what's to be embarrassed about?

No one ever died of a broken leg.  But when people experience suicidal thoughts and feelings, they can die.  It happens all too often.  If you are feeling suicidal, you are screaming at the top of your lungs on the inside.  You probably have been for a while now.  It's time to let someone hear.  This is what people with expertise and knowledge are trained to handle, remember? 

And what they're going to think is what you already know - that you are in unspeakable pain.  They're going to think you've been alone with that pain for way too long and that you could use some help with it.  That's why they're sitting there waiting for the phone to ring.  And all you have to say is, "Hi."  That will be more than enough to get the conversation started.  Please, have a conversation at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). 

If you'd rather talk to someone closer to home, go the the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Crisis page at DMHAS.   Each area's crisis number is listed alphabetically by town. 

The important thing is to talk.  It's the first step towards Recovery. 

MC Lars wrote this song to honor his friend Patrick Wood who died by suicide.