Dealing with Triggers After Hearing About Suicide

Suicide is a tough thing to talk about. It's something nobody is comfortable bringing up because it's a scary thought. Deep down in our minds, we cannot begin to understand someone's motivation or mental state that would cause them to do such a thing. But what are we supposed to do when we're forced to talk about it and face how we feel because it keeps happening around us? Are we to keep our feelings all bundled up inside and try to ignore them? You might be able to do that a few times, but eventually, it will become too much to handle. 

What Are Triggers?

Triggers are defined as any type of stimuli that can cause a person to feel panicked, depressed, or anxious without warning. It can be anything from a smell to a certain place, and of course a feeling. 

What Are Suicide Triggers?

Hearing other people's stories can be more triggering than our own. Constantly hearing about people who have committed suicide, celebrities or otherwise, and feeling depressed afterward is a suicide trigger. You were just fine, and suddenly you're not. You have a mix of complicated thoughts rushing through your head that you feel overwhelmed.

What Can You Do About It? 

As you experience this trigger of emotions, it's important to try and ground yourself by remembering that you are okay. You also must refrain from judging yourself for having negative thoughts following this knowledge. Suicide is complicated, to say the least, and we all have different reactions to it. So, it's important to allow yourself to be human.

If you find that you can contain your emotions and try to focus on self-care activities in this state of mind until you feel better, please do that. However, if things are harder for you, then talking to a loved one is a possibility, someone you are close with who can support you in any way you need. 

You are the only one who will be able to assess the severity of the trigger, especially if you have a history of depression and/or anxiety. Talking to your therapist about your feelings is what you should be doing. Remember, suicide is contagious, and this doesn't reflect only the act itself, but the thought pattern as well. Your mental health is your top priority. 

By: Amal Ghali