Fillable Safety Plan Template (Page 3 of 7) in pdf

How can I better understand my suicidal thoughts and feelings?

Some problems and experiences, especially those

Hurting or killing yourself are not your only options.

that have been around for a long time, can leave you

Professionals can help you learn new skills for

feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. At these times,

dealing with your pain. These might include:

you may think that you have no options left. You

developing new skills to cope; seeing your problems

may think about suicide as a way to escape intense

in a new light; improving your ability to handle

emotional pain.

intense and painful emotions; improving your

relationships; increasing your social supports; or

People who kill themselves often think that their

medications.

problems are unbearable and can’t be fixed. They

feel like nothing they have tried has or will change

Some other things that may lead you to think of

their situation. Their emotional pain can distort

suicide are:

thinking so it becomes harder to trust, or to see

Mental health problems:

Some mental health

possible solutions to problems, or to connect with

problems, such as depression or anxiety, can

available love and support. Even if it seems that you

increase feelings of suicide. Mental health problems

can’t stand another minute, it is important to

are treatable. It is important to talk to your doctor if

remember that feelings (e.g., grief, anger, sadness,

you feel low, depressed, or anxious. Counseling or

loneliness, shame), especially at this intense level,

medication may help. There are also free resources

don’t last forever. Sometimes thoughts of suicide can

that can help (e.g., the Antidepressant Skills

become very strong, especially if you have taken

Workbook, at ).

drugs or alcohol. It is important to not use non-

prescription drugs or alcohol, particularly when you

Conflict with loved ones:

You may feel that your

feel hopeless or are thinking about suicide.

family or friends would be better off without you.

It is important to remember that conflict with others

Some of the thoughts you may be having are:

doesn’t last forever. Ending your life is not a way to

believing there are no other options;

•

solve that conflict. We know that people who lose

sensing your family or friends would be better off

•

a loved one to suicide say that their lives are not

without you;

better off.

thinking you’ve done something so horrible that

•

suicide is the only option;

Loss:

Many different types of loss can increase the

experiencing unbearable pain that feels like it

•

chances you may feel suicidal. Some examples that

will go on forever;

may set off feelings of suicide include: a break-up;

wanting to escape your suffering;

losing a job; losing social status; or losing a loved

•

one or friend. Knowing someone who has died by

wanting to let your loved ones know how much

•

suicide can increase the chance that you think of

you hurt; or

suicide as an option. As difficult as your loss may

wanting to hurt or get revenge on others.

•

seem, there are people and services that can help

you get through difficult times, such as Griefworks

Your feelings of pain are very real. However, it is

BC (1-877-234-3322).

important to know that there is hope. With the

help of professionals and the support of family and

friends, you can learn about what is causing your

suffering and how you can change or manage it.

Dr. Joti Samra, R.Psych. & Dr. Dan Bilsker, R.Psych. (2007)

Page 3

1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)

Safety Plan Template Page 3

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