There’s no doubt about it: life can be tough. Sometimes, it hits us with things that leave us feeling completely lost, helpless and hopeless. When we feel that way, that’s when we’re most at risk of suicide.
That is when we most need someone to talk to.
Do you know someone who might be feeling the hopelessness that can lead to thoughts of suicide? They often display many signs; you can learn them here. Your most important role is to make sure they understand they are not alone and that there are people who care and can help. You can offer some of the many resources available to help them. Learn what you need to know to intervene here.
Are you feeling hopeless and helpless yourself?
There are more people than you can imagine who want to help you. Call us, and we can help put you in touch with them. They can help you find the strength and the resources to deal with issues that are overwhelming you.
There is no typical suicide “profile,” which means there is no single intervention technique that will work in every case. Intervention is unique to each person. For some, outpatient intervention is most effective in addressing their challenges. For others, hospitalization is best to ensure safety.
Our resources offer you round-the-clock access to experts who can help you determine the best approach to take with your friend, associate or loved one who may be considering suicide. They can help connect you with local resources that will initiate the best possible interventional strategy.
If you are a survivor after someone's death from suicide, you are feeling a difficult and confusing array of emotions. In addition to the grief you feel from the loss of a loved one, it’s not unusual for you to feel angry at him or her, to blame yourself or others, or to simply wonder, “why?”
You are not alone in those feelings, and you will get through them. And you’re not alone: there are many people who are ready and willing to help you. You can reach them through Survivors of Suicide.
Another valuable resource is My Son, My Son: A Guide to Healing After Death, Loss or Suicide by Iris Bolton, who lost her 20-year-old son to suicide. As she writes:
I don't know why
I'll never know why.
I don't have to know why.
I don't like it.
I don't have to like it.
What I do have to do is make a choice about my living.
What I do want to do is accept it and go on living
The choice is mine.
I can go on living, valuing every moment
in a way I never did before,
or I can be destroyed by it and,
in turn, destroy others.
I thought I was immortal.
That my family and my children were also
That tragedy happened only to others.
But I know now that life is tenuous
and valuable.
So I am choosing to go on living,
making the most of the time I have,
valuing my family and friends
in a way never possible before.
If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide, please call us. We are here for you 24 hours daily, 7 days weekly at these numbers:
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK
• Local Saginaw Crisis (989) 792-9732 (Michigan)
• Local Toll Free 1-800-233-0022
• TDD/TTY Line (989) 797-3460
• For veterans in an emotional crisis please call 1-800-273-TALK and press #1 for special VA assistance.
The Saginaw County Suicide Awareness & Prevention website is one result of the collaborative efforts of the Saginaw Suicide Prevention Coalition as it works toward developing broad-based support for suicide prevention in the Saginaw region. The overarching desire of the Coalition is to see the reduction of the incidence of suicide attempts and deaths in the Saginaw community. The Coalition believes this is best achieved by increased awareness, reduction of stigma, development of strong clinical practices in multiple settings, improved surveillance and a learning approach to suicide prevention.
The work of the Coalition is captured in the document Saginaw County Suicide Prevention Plan.