The Four Things I Wanted to Hear Most When I Was Suicidal

Some suggestions for things you can say to a suicidal loved one.

I have bipolar disorder and have struggled with suicidal thoughts at different times throughout my life. Today, I am lucky enough to have several close friends who are very supportive, and who have helped me when I was at my lowest moments.

I’ve always relied on my friends and loved ones to help me in my difficult times. Having a friend to listen can make a huge, huge difference — it can literally be lifesaving for someone struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Over the years of battling with depression, I’ve come to be aware of the things I most want to hear — most need to hear — when I’m in the depths of despair and thinking of taking my own life.

I’m going to share these things, because they may also apply to other people who struggle with suicidal feelings. They may be things that you can say if you have a loved one who also struggles with depression.

I am not a trained professional, only someone who’s been through the wringer and lived to tell about it.

Everyone is different. Every person is unique. Things that helped me may not help everyone, so I can’t promise this information will be applicable to your situation if you have a loved one who is struggling with thoughts of suicide.

Nevertheless, I thought I’d share. Take from it what you will.

Here are the four things I wanted to hear most when I was suicidal.

These three words are so incredibly powerful. If they are true, say them to your loved one.

In the depths of depression, I never felt lovable in any way. All I felt towards myself was self-hatred. I felt like I was the most terrible person on earth. I couldn’t love myself, and I couldn’t imagine anyone else loving me.

Even if you’re certain your loved one knows that you love them — say it. Even if you’ve said it to them before — say it. Most likely, they need to hear it again.

If you don’t feel comfortable saying “I love you,” the words “I care about you” work too.

Related posts:

Product management as a practice is quite broad, especially when it comes to software and technology solutions. While different companies practice product management in different ways, typically…

While managing projects isn’t easy, there are certain tools that make project management simple, streamlined, and successful — that’s why programs like Six Sigma, Lean, and Minitab were created in…

Humans have long been fascinated with the idea of robots — human-like robots. It’s been 50 years since Isaac Asimov, an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, devised his…