How Not to Kill Yourself: A Portrait of the Suicidal Mind

by Clancy Martin

I believe that the drive to self-annihilation is one that we all share. It expresses itself in many different ways: in attempts to escape yourself and avoid your problems, by overwork or Instagram scrolling or buying things or staying in expensive hotels; obviously, in addiction and related extreme behaviors; and in the thought, desire, or attempt to kill oneself.

The pressure is the world, everything the world is demanding of you, but also yourself, everything you are requiring of yourself, and your awful, mistaken, but very common and understandable view that you are not okay.

The AFSP principally recommends that we “have an honest conversation” with the person who is feeling suicidal, and Talk to them in private Listen to their story Tell them you care about them Ask directly if they are thinking about suicide Encourage them to seek treatment or contact their doctor or therapist Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problems, or giving advice