Men Staying Safe — Coping with Suicidal Thoughts — Part Two
Research has proven that more men die by suicide compared to women. I have mentioned this before and will mention it again that I feel it is high time we bring this issue of male suicide to light in order for men to find a safe, compassionate and empathic space to share their hearts openly without shame or stigma. My key objective is to use these blogs as a forum to support men emotionally who are battling suicidal thoughts and depression, and to do everything I can, by God’s grace and power, to share the message of hope and to equip all men with the tools, strategies and encouragement to give life a second chance. My blogs focus on internal coping strategies for men facing hopelessness and despair. Today, I want to broach the following questions which are included as part of a Safety Plan. A Safety Plan is a prioritized list of coping strategies, and sources of support, for a participant to use before or during a suicidal question. The first question is what can you do on your own if you become suicidal again and not to act on your thoughts? The second question is what activities can you do to take your mind off your problems, even if it is for a brief period of time? The third question is how likely do you think you would be able to do these steps during a time of crisis? To help with this response, I wanted to introduce you to the concept of ‘The Quiet Place’. You may be facing a life of chaos and noise which is drowning you out and weighing you down. I encourage you to step into the ‘The Quiet Place. You are probably asking as you read this, what do I mean by the Quiet Place and what does ‘The Quiet Place’ look like? The Quiet Place can be whatever you want it to be, as long as you are safe and out of danger. It can be a quiet moment sitting in your local park not too far away from home,(which I did today) or in a garden to breathe in the fresh air, absorb the Vitamin D from the Sun and use that quiet time alone to contemplate and recharge. It could be a stroll around the shops, of course, observing the two metre social distance and wearing your face mask to keep safe. You may be wondering what has the ‘Quiet Place’ got do with depression and suicidal thoughts. The Quiet Place serves as a distraction against destructive thoughts. It is a self-care response. It is the moment, where you take time out alone to find strength, to ground yourself, to calm yourself and to recharge, whilst the rest of the world is going crazy. It is in the the ‘Quiet Place’ where you find peace and stability. Some people’s quiet place is spending quiet time in prayer and contemplation with God.
To give an example, Jesus escaped from the overwhelm of life and His mission by spending time in the Quiet Place. Luke 5 vs 16 describes how he withdrew, retreated, slipped away, to a deserted place, a wilderness, so that He can pray in seclusion. How would He have found the strength to continue in His life’s purpose and ministry without it? How can we as human beings cope with life adversity if we do not take time out and spend time in ‘our quiet place’. Share with me in the comment below details about your quiet place. Where do you go to find solace and strength? It doesn’t need to be an actual formal physical building. It can be certain area or space in your home where you find peace, calm, and have the time for contemplation and meditation. What do you do to regulate or stabilize your emotions in a healthy way which keeps you safe? Share with me your comments.
