Give yourself 24 hours

I have used the Crisis Text Line myself when i was in crisis, and didn’t know what to do. The best way to cope for me is to tell someone. the crisis text line is anonymous so i felt comfortable texting them. Today I volunteer on this platform so I can connect with other people who are in crisis. I understand what they are going through
— Maxine Irving

text home to - 741741

WWW.CRISISTEXTLINE.ORG

Reasons why people reach out

  • Overwhelming, unmanageable, and persistent SUFFERING. This is what a person who contemplates, attempts, or completes suicide is feeling. That no matter what they have tried there is no hope or relief. A person who is suicidal can have two voices, one that wants release from pain and suffering, and the other that wants to live. Fighting for the part that wants to live is tiring and exhausting. Telling someone is the first step to coping and giving yourself some relief.

  • People can feel anxious about a lot of things: the first day of school, a job interview, a first date. Anxiety is that pang of “what if” that makes your heart race and your palms sweaty. There’s a difference between healthy anxiety and a paralyzing fear about the future.

    If you’re experiencing anxiety, know that you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health disorders in the U.S. They affect over 40 million adults every single year. Kids experience them too: over 25% of people between 13 and 18 live with anxiety today.

  • Depression is a feeling that nothing matters that is so strong it interferes with one’s ability to function in the world. School? Work? Social life? Depression can make getting out of bed every morning like climbing Mt. Everest. The good news is you do not have to climb the mountain alone. Asking for help could help you unlock the tools to make the climb easier. No sweat—you’ve got this.

  • If you’re feeling lonely, chances are you are actually not alone in that feeling. In fact, loneliness is so common that researchers have classified the feeling into three main categories:

    Situational Loneliness— Maybe you started a new school, moved away from your friends and family, or just have a new schedule that is making it hard for you to connect with the people and places that used to fill your life. Situational loneliness occurs when there are changes in your life that cause you to feel isolated. Thankfully, this loneliness often gets better with time as you adapt to your new normal.

    Developmental Loneliness— It feels like everyone else is moving and shaking without you: acing tests, getting promotions, or starting families. Sometimes, this feeling of being behind—of feeling like everyone is moving on and excelling without you—can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

    Internal Loneliness— You’re out with your friends hitting up your favorite pizza joint. Instead of feeling surrounded by the people you love, you can’t shake the feeling of being totally and utterly alone. Sometimes, people feel lonely when they are actually hardly alone at all. Internal loneliness comes from a perception of being alone in any and every situation.

TAKE MY HAND PEER CHAT

takemyhand.co

TakemyHand peer chat operators are specially trained, have lived experience, and can relate to your struggles. Our safe space is here to offer hope, validation, and empowerment to uplift you. You matter. We care. There’s no judgment, just acceptance.