Everyone feels sad or depressed sometimes, but if these feelings are not going away and life begins to seem hopeless you may have thoughts of suicide. You are not alone.

Many of us have had thoughts of suicide run through our minds. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, or crazy. It means there is so much pain right now that it feels impossible to cope.

When we are depressed, we tend to see things through the very narrow perspective of the present moment. A week or a month later, things may look completely different.

We know that it must feel like there's no way out and that the pain feels like it’s never going to end. Suicide is not the answer! In fact, most people who once thought about killing themselves are now glad to be alive. They say they didn’t really want to die; they just wanted to stop the pain.

Life circumstances can have a profound effect on us emotionally. Loss, financial worries, legal issues, substance abuse, grief, problems with school, work, health or relationships can create significant emotional distress. The reasons for this pain are unique to each one of us, and our ability to cope with the pain differs from person to person. Maybe you can=t see it now, but most of the time there are solutions to these problems. Feelings of suicide are often associated with problems that can be worked out.

One of the first steps in coping with suicidal feelings is to share them with someone you trust. You do not have to cope with this alone. Reach out and seek help!

Talk to family or friends. Just talking to someone can bring huge relief.

Take hope in knowing that other people have survived these overwhelming feelings.

Call Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) and speak confidentially with a counselor.

Talk with a professional.  If feelings of depression have been going on for a long period of time, it may be best to talk with your doctor or a mental health professional.  Depression, bi-polar and anxiety disorders are highly treatable with counseling and medications.  There is Help and Hope!