A Video Series for Trauma Survivors 

This vlog of short episodes (two to three minutes each) explores moving away from suicidal thoughts and deep depression caused by trauma to heal and find peace. The focus is less on depression than how to transcend it.

The only way out is all the way through.

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THE ONLY WAY OUT

Series 1: Please Don’t Kill Yourself

Series 2: Get Through a Dark Hour

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Series 2 (Episode 1): Find Activities That Engage You
Series 2 (Episode 1): Find Activities That Engage You

Getting through a dark hour is a distraction game. How do you do it?

 

If staying alive feels hard right now, here is one simple strategy that works well for me. My dark times are rare now—but I still use it. The strategy involves making or having a list—written or mental—of any activities that might engage me. Then I choose from that list.

Try it. It’s simple. Learn the technique. Then use it to plan out the next hour. Or the day.

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Series 1 (Episode 1): You Deserve to Live
Series 1 (Episode 1): You Deserve to Live

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.

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Series 1 (Episode 2): Suicidal feelings pass. Death doesn’t.
Series 1 (Episode 2): Suicidal feelings pass. Death doesn’t.

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.

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Series 1 (Episode 3): Avoid Murder
Series 1 (Episode 3): Avoid Murder

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.

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Series 1 (Episode 4): Suicide Won’t Fix Anything
Series 1 (Episode 4): Suicide Won’t Fix Anything

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.

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Series 1 (Episode 5): Call a Crisis Hotline
Series 1 (Episode 5): Call a Crisis Hotline

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.

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Series 1 (Episode 6): Keep a Promise to Stay Alive
Series 1 (Episode 6): Keep a Promise to Stay Alive

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.

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Series 1 (Episode 7): People Care About You
Series 1 (Episode 7): People Care About You

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.

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CONTENT ADVISORY

The video episodes on this website address topics related to suicide. Viewer caution is advised. Please note: published research strongly suggests that asking someone if they have suicidal plans helps to prevent (not cause) suicide.

Asking someone if they have been unhappy or down or how they’re feeling can be hard sometimes. It’s harder still to ask them gently, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

But you might save a life that way…

Yes. You can ask a loved one or friend directly whether they are having suicidal thoughts.

If you have thoughts about harming yourself, call or text the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 in either the U.S. or Canada.

Or reach out through chat by visiting 988lifeline.org/chat.