At Wellspring, we are committed to raising awareness, providing resources, and equipping you with strategies for hope and healing. Every 11 minutes, a life is lost to suicide, making it the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Suicides now occur twice as often as homicides. In 2024, 1 in 4 Americans reported thinking about suicide. While 12.8 million adults experience these thoughts, only 1.5 million make an attempt– showing that intervention works and help truly can make a difference.
If You Are Struggling with Suicidal Thoughts…
- Remember: You are not alone. You matter. Psalm 139 reminds us God intentionally created you, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together… I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
- Connect with others. Isolation can worsen feelings of despair. Share with someone you trust (a family member, friend, pastor, or mentor).
- Get professional help. Call or text 988 or reach out to a therapist or doctor.
- Remove potential methods of suicide. Ask a trusted person to help reduce risks in your environment.
- Follow treatment. If you’ve been recommended to therapy, attend. If a doctor prescribes medication, take it.
- Care for your body. Healthy food, sleep, exercise, sunlight, and time in nature support emotional well-being.
- Practice coping tools. Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, journaling, and self-compassion can help you manage hard moments. Make an appointment with us today to learn additional outlets for emotional regulation and release.
If You Are Grieving the Loss of Someone to Suicide…
- Take it one day at a time. Grief has no timeline; go at your own pace.
- Allow yourself to feel. Sadness, worry, anger, guilt, confusion, even relief… all emotions are normal and valid. Expressing them is paramount to healing.
- Seek professional support. A therapist who specializes in grief or trauma can help you process.
- Use coping tools. Mindfulness, journaling, art, or exercise can manage grief and bring relief.
- Stay connected. Loss can feel isolating, but support systems (family, friends, church, or community) bring comfort and strength.
- Honor your loved one. Whether through a ritual, memory book, or simple reflection, this can provide comfort and meaning.
If You Are Worried About Someone You Love…
- Early intervention is key. Knowing warning signs and resources empowers you to recognize distress in yourself and peers alike, potentially preventing a crisis before it escalates.
- Know the warning signs. 4 out of 5 individuals who consider suicide give some verbal or behavioral sign of their intentions. This can include talking about suicide, mood shifts, self-hatred, hopelessness, social withdrawal, self-destructive behavior, seeking out lethal means, or even a sudden sense of calm or happiness, after a period of depression.
- Refer to a professional. If you have noticed a pattern of similar behavior, it is time to take action. Wellspring (call 305-722-5380) and the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) are available resources.
- Lead with empathy, not judgement. Seek to understand their situation from their perspective, offering kindness and support, instead of criticism.
- Lean In. Share your concern directly and ask open-ended questions.
- Be proactive. Don’t wait for them to reach out. Check in, invite them out, follow up.
- Stay present long-term. Support matters even after the immediate crisis has passed.
If anything in this article resonates with you, we encourage you to seek help today. Psalm 34 reminds us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” God loves you. He knows you personally and chose you to be alive at this time. He has plans for your life. Even when times feel impossibly hard, He still hears you, sees you, and is with you.
Written by Katy Milian
