Why you should give life another chance.
You are reading this article because you are contemplating killing yourself. Or maybe you know someone who is.
If you are that person who has lost hope for your life, please read on. Let me talk to you personally. I realize that you may have already planned to end your life or even tried to. All you can think about is how hopeless your life is, how you can't go on living like this. The pain is too great. No one understands the burdens you carry or the emotional turmoil you are experiencing.
But, you are here now and because you are, let me share with you some hope, about how your life can be different, about why you should give life another try.
Options: I want to ask you to consider doing something other than trying to end your life. You may have tried counseling or talking to someone to no avail. I'm asking you to try taking some steps again. Steps which will help you move in another direction, away from the self-destructive thoughts which have plagued you.
First of all, you need to understand why you are depressed. You say, "I do know why. I am a failure. I'm in debt. My wife/husband left me. Someone died. I'm unemployed. I'm lonely. I'm______ (you fill in the blank)." I want to tell you that though you have many problems and struggles, most likely, you are also struggling with a physical deficiency of chemicals in your nervous system. This may be a major reason for the depression you feel. Many people who are depressed don't know that depression is also by a lack of neurotransmitters called catecholemines, serotonin and endorphins. These are the chemicals which help people concentrate, improve mood and increase energy. Medication can help increase these neurochemicals along with natural methods such as exercise and taking time to grow spiritually. You still need to work through other issues such as the loss of a loved one through death or divorce, low self-esteem, guilt, resentment, anger, or past sexual abuse. Those crises and losses need to be dealt with, processed and grieved.
First Step: Have you been going to counseling and been treated for depression? If not, go immediately to your family doctor or a psychiatrist or to the nearest emergency room for help.
Please contact AACC for a referral to a mental health professional. Please do this immediately!
If you are presently in counseling, you need to contact your therapist and/or psychiatrist to tell them you need help for these suicidal thoughts and self-destructive plans. Ask a family member or friend to go with you.

Understanding Depression and Challenging Your Emotions: Your feelings and your depression cannot be trusted. Feelings are not objective truth. Feelings are indicators of subjective thinking and you need to explore the thoughts you have been dwelling on that have led you to contemplate suicide. Thinking about killing yourself is believing lies about life and about the future. Many people in the past have struggled with depression but, they didn't cave into or trust the feelings. They had the courage to go on, the courage to believe that their future and that their life could be different.
Martin Luther graphically described one of his frequest rock-bottom moods: "for more than a week I was close to the gates of death and hell. I trembled in all my members. Christ was wholly lost. I was shaken by desperation and blasphemy of God." (Here I Stand, Abingdon Press).
Don Baker, pastor and author wrote of his experience with depression: "I seemed to be out of touch with relatity. Life was a blur, often out of focus. My life seemed to be nothing but pretense and fantasy. No really cared, I felt-not even God. The only solution-at times-seemed to be suicide...."
These men did not follow their feelings. They rejected the despairing thoughts and moved forward. They were able to overcome hurdles and their emotions of defeat. You don't need to be led astray by your negative feelings and thoughts either.

It's time to challenge that thinking. Time to see your life from a healthy perspective. You are a person of value. You are important and you can change your thinking and behavior and improve your life! I implore you to also give God a chance to give you hope as well. Turn to God and seek His help and guidance. Why not find out what He can do?! I have witnessed how He has changed lives, lifted the downcast and brought hope to those who feel lost.

Ask yourself:
1. What feelings are underneath my depression?
2. Do I suffer from low self-esteem?
3. Am I having guilt problems?
4. Am I struggling with relationship problems?
5. Am I fearful about something?
6. Am I struggling with some loss?
7. What types of thoughts rule my mind?
8. How can I take a step towards seeking seek God?
Ask God to reveal these things to you. Then, pray and ask Him for help and to change your life from the inside out.
Don't give up! Don't be a quitter! Contract with me or someone close to you right now NOT to take your life.

Moving Beyond Hopelessness:
Usually people who are feeling depressed are not doing what would help them feel better. You need to fight the depression and move forward. Talk with someone about your feelings, about your life. Expressing your feelings to someone is very beneficial. Exploring with someone, especially a counselor, what underlies your feelings can help you begin to problem-solve.
Seeing your doctor for a physical exam and telling him or her about your depression can lead to further treatment for the physiological causes. You most likely need to take an anti-depressant. Regular exercise and proper diet is very helpful and can also increase the neuro-chemicals your body is missing.
Spending quality time with caring people, friends, God, members of your family and church will give you a sense of connection and help you regain meaning in your life.
Where to start: You have read this article. Will you now consider taking a step towards life? A step towards rebuilding your life? A step to reach out for help? Refuse to believe the lies you have been telling yourself. Lies that life is hopeless, you are worthless and you have no future.
I'm here to tell you that your life has a future and a hope. I have seen so many people get help and go on to enjoy a better life!
Please contact AACC for a referral to a mental health professional. Write out what will help you start over.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Professional counseling.
2. A physical exam and medication.
3. Prayer
4. Support from family and friends
5. Exercise
6. Guidance for finances. Contact Crown Financial Ministries for free financial counseling.
7. Working through grief or loss.
8. Reading a book such as The Freedom from Depression Workbook by Les Carter, Frank Minirth or The Search for Significance by Robert McGee or Learning to Tell Myself the Truth by William Backus or Keep Believing: God in the Midst of Our Deepest Struggles by Ray Pritchard.
9. Other: _________________ (fill in the blank)
I hope that I have been able to talk you out of harming yourself. Please contact someone for help at the Women Today site. Call your pastor, counselor, a friend, your doctor. Take a step towards life and hope now.

If you have had symptoms of depression for more than 2 weeks or have thoughts or if you have a plan to harm yourself, please contact AACC for a referral to a mental health professional or the SuicideHotlines.com at: 1.800.SUICIDE (784-2433).

Read more articles on: Coping with the Blues, Managing Anxiety, Advice.
© copyright 2002 by Lynette J. Hoy, NCC, LCPC

Dear Friend,
My first question is have you been going to counseling and been treated for depression? If not, please go immediately to your doctor or a psychiatrist or to the nearest emergency room for help. Please contact AACC for a referral to a counseling professional in your area. Please do this immediately!
If you are in counseling, you need to contact your present therapist and/or psychiatrist to tell them you need help for these suicidal thoughts.

Suicide and Hell:
Regarding your question "will I go to hell if I commit suicide?":
The only reason that people go to hell is because they have not trusted in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life, He who believes in me will live though he dies." (John 11:25) And in John 3:36 Jesus said, "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
The reality of your faith:
Let me say, though, that if you are truly a born-again Christian, you should explore the reality of your faith. Though it is true that some Christians struggle with depression and thoughts of suicide- it is ultimately a rebellion against God. Your depression has led you astray and resulted in sin, selfishness, fear, anxiety, hopelessness, and thoughts of evil intent. This is the opposite of a Spirit-filled life where there is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and self-control.
When you know Jesus Christ personally you have hope for living because He gives you a new purpose in life and changes your life. My question to you is: What is your relationship with Jesus Christ? You are a Christian if:
...you believe with all your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that He rose from the dead and that nothing you can do (works, religion, church, baptism, etc.) can make you right before God.
...and you believe that the only way to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life is by faith in Christ and in Him alone!
If you truly believe that, then, why would you contemplate killing yourself? "Jesus said, I have come to give life and to give it more abundantly" in John 10:10. If you really believe what He has said then... why are you thinking about killing yourself instead of living for Him and obeying Him as He said in John 14: 15 "If you love me, you will obey what I command." Killing is disobeying His command not to kill. God said "you shall not kill". Here it is in Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder." and Deuteronomy 5:17 "You shall not murder. " If you are thinking about suicide then you are not only contemplating breaking one of the commandments but you are disbelieving that He can help you. You are saying that God is not good enough to care for you and that He is not capable of helping you! How can you distrust Him so greatly for your life right now, but, say that you believe Jesus is Lord and Savior and has forgiven you of all your sins and will give you eternal life? It seems to me that the latter statement, ie, that Christ saves you for all eternity, is a much harder fact to believe!
But, the truth is that since Jesus is God ... He can be trusted for your life -- presently as well as for all eternity. And He is able to do above and beyond all we ask or think because He is the Creator, Savior, Lord of all, the Good Shepherd, the Alpha and Omega!

Your feelings and your depression cannot be trusted. Feelings are not objective truth. Feelings are indicators of subjective thinking and you need to explore what thoughts you have been dwelling on that have led you to contemplate such negative, self-destructive feelings. Thinking about killing yourself is believing in the lies that Satan wants you to believe. Jesus said that Satan is the "thief that comes to kill and destroy" in John 10:9-10. The Bible also says that Satan is the author of lies. If you feel like giving up on life and so much so that you want to kill yourself, then, you are believing Satan's lies. The Bible says that "the heart is deceitful and wicked above all things". Don't be led astray by these feelings and negative thoughts.
I implore you to turn to God and seek His help and guidance. You can be certain that committing suicide is breaking His commandment "to not kill". But, you can also be certain that since He has commanded you not to do this- He will provide help and strength to endure and work through this trial in your life! Why not give Him a chance to turn your life around?! He has much to say about your life and how He can help you.

First of all, your life is not your own whether you are a Christian or not.
God created you and He is the author of life and death and no one else has the right to take away life. Paul writes in 1 Cor 6:9 "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?" (of course, this means that killing is wicked) and 1 Cor 6:18-20 says "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." You are not your own. If you are a Christian then you need to turn to Christ and repent from these thoughts and plans to kill yourself. You are called to honor God with your body and not kill your body. Romans 12: 1-2 says "present your bodies as LIVING sacrifices" not DEAD ones.
If you are not a Christian then you need to consider becoming one. Jesus Christ can change your life, your perspective and give you new hope and purpose for living. Give God a chance to change your life and help you get out of the pit you are in! He loves you and cares about you. Read about How to Know God Personally. Peter writes in 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your cares (anxieties) on Him (God), for He cares for you."
Secondly, you need to address why you are not trusting God. Why are you not trusting that He can change you and your circumstances and help you get on with your life? What issues or circumstances are you facing that are so overwhelming... causing you such distress? God can and will help you.
Ask yourself:
1. What feelings are underneath my depression?
2. Do I suffer from low self-esteem?
3. Am I having guilt problems?
4. Am I struggling with relationship problems?
5. Am I fearful about something?
6. Am I struggling with some loss?
Ask God to reveal these things to you. Then, pray and ask Him for help and to change your life from the inside out. He is in the business of changing lives and answering prayer. The scriptures say: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17) In John 14:12-16 Jesus said: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." Jesus can do the impossible in your life. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus replied, "....I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." and in Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Don't give up! Don't be a quitter! Contract with me or someone close to you right now NOT to take your life.

Begin to take some steps towards letting God into your life and helping you out of the pit.
1. Get some Christian counseling right now by contacting AACC for a referral to a mental health professional.
2. Pray this prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I realize that I have sinned against you in thinking about killing myself. I realize that this is not from you and that you want to give me an abundant, joyous life. I repent from this thinking and ask that you will change my mind and heart right now to begin thinking about my life the way you do. I want you to come into my heart and change it completely. Help me to stand on the truth that you are good and can help me. I want to trust that you are the Lord and the Savior of the whole world. Help me to believe. I do believe that you, Jesus, have died for my sins and have risen from the dead and that you and you alone can forgive me from all my sins and make me the kind of person I need to be. Please come into my heart right now. Thank you. Amen. Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, "behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door... I will come in." Since He has promised to come in, He will! You can be assured of this because everything that Jesus said is true. He said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me."
If you have prayed this prayer or if you are a struggling Christian and would like to receive the book, "Keep Believing" by Pastor Ray Pritchard, please email me with your name and address and I will send you this book. Give God an opportunity to change your life and your circumstances by taking some of the steps I have recommended.
You say.. I don't want help from God and I can't believe in Him. Would you be willing to try seeking Him anyway? Would you ask Him to help you even though you don't feel like it? Would you try this experiment and read the gospel of John for 21 days and ask God to reveal Himself to you during that time? Did you know that if you ask God for faith.. He will give it to you? He is merciful and kind and knows that you are struggling. Take one small step towards Him and you will find that He is already there right beside you waiting to help. The fact that you are even reading this article is not an accident. He has led you here and wants to have a relationship with you! Peter writes: "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." ( 2 Peter 3:9) For more reading and encouragement please see: Answer to a Skeptic, Coping with the Blues, Managing Anxiety, Advice.
Also, order a book on depression from our resources page such as: The Freedom from Depression Workbook by Les Carter, Frank Minirth or The Search for Significance by Robert McGee or Learning to Tell Myself the Truth by William Backus or Keep Believing: God in the Midst of Our Deepest Struggles by Ray Pritchard.
May you discover the reality of God's presence, power and comfort in the midst of your struggle! And may He change your life and give you a reason for living! Lynette Hoy, NCC, LCPC

1. Loss of appetite. Weight gain or loss. 
2. Depressed affect. Children & Adolescents: cranky, irritable, angry/explosive outbursts. 
3. Diminished interest in or enjoyment of activities. 
4. Psychomotor agitation or retardation. 
5. Sleeplessness or hypersomnia. 
6. Lack of energy. 
7. Poor concentration and indecisiveness. 
8. Social withdrawal. 
9. Suicidal thoughts and/or gestures. 
10. Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt. 
11. Low self-esteem. 
12. Unresolved grief issues. 
13. Hallucinations or delusions. 

Depression is usually the result of one or more of the following: self-worth, stress, spiritual, anger, guilt and physical problems; false beliefs, loss or grief reactions.

First take a look at your relationship with Christ. Many times Christians are not spending time meditating on the Word of God and praying. God and faith are the antidotes to depression. Our God is the God of all comfort and hope. When you are depressed it is probably because you feel hopeless and helpless about your life. Jesus Christ is the answer and He can reveal truth about your situation through prayer, the Bible and His church. Usually people who are feeling depressed are not doing what would help them feel better. Talking about your feelings with someone is very beneficial. Exploring with someone, especially a counselor, what is underlying your feelings can help you begin to problem-solve. Seeing your doctor for a physical exam and telling him/her about your depression can lead to further treatment for physiological causes. You may need to consider taking an anti-depressant. Regular exercise and proper diet is very helpful. Spending time with family and friends and serving others is encouraging. If you are doing these things and still don't feel better, it is wise to seek out pastoral and professional Christian counseling. Please contact AACC for a referral to a mental health professional or the SuicideHotlines.com at: 1.800.SUICIDE (784-2433).
Take the depression inventory to evaluate the severity of your depression. 

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* All scripture quotations are taken from the NIV Bible.