If you’re thinking about suicide, the first reason not to kill yourself is that your life is precious. So are you. Please don’t kill yourself.

Just get through this hour. And the next. And the next.

Yes: it seems like everything is getting worse. But hang in there. It will get better.

If you don’t kill yourself.

It seems cruel and harsh to say, “Don’t kill yourself because that’s murder.”

But please don’t murder yourself. Your death could cause heartbreaking damage, like any other murder.

Maybe more.

Please. Stay alive.

For a lot of trauma survivors who have ever grappled with suicide, we see death as a quick “fix.” A solution.

It isn’t. You’re simply passing the problem on.

If you die, we don’t know what happens to you. But we know the problem isn’t fixed.

Stay alive and fix the problem. Heal. Be whole.

In most countries, there’s a suicide and crisis hotline you can call if you want to die. In many countries you can even text instead of calling.

Such a simple thing to do. But that call or text can save a life.

Maybe yours.

Don’t kill yourself. Call or text a crisis hotline.

If you kill yourself, you’ll never have a chance at a truly happy life. One way to stay alive is to promise someone, or even God, that you won’t kill yourself.

Sure, when we want to kill ourselves, sometimes we can’t imagine anyone cares.

But they do. And you matter.

If you’re in pain, call or text a loved one, a friend, a therapist, a colleague or a hotline. Visit someone in person, if you can.

Give someone a chance to care about you.

Please don’t kill yourself.