Suicide Prevention Quotes to Mark Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. As DBT therapists, this is a topic that is close to our hearts. We specialize in treating people who experience painful, debilitating thoughts of suicide and helping them to build their life worth living. To bring awareness to this serious public health problem, we’d like to share these suicide prevention quotes.
Suicide Prevention Quotes
Marsha M. Linehan
The first few of our suicide prevention quotes comes from Dr. Marsha M. Linehan, Ph.D., the founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
“The desire to commit suicide, however, has at its base a belief that life cannot or will not improve. Although that may be the case in some instances, it is not true in all instances. Death, however, rules out hope in all instances. We do not have any data indicating that people who are dead lead better lives.” –Marsha M. Linehan, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder
“Responding to a suicide attempt by insisting that it must stop, and devoting the full resources of therapy to preventing it, is a communication with compassion and care at its very core.” –Marsha M. Linehan
“The goal of DBT is to help people find the path to getting out of hell.” –Marsha M. Linehan, Building a Life Worth Living: A Memoir
Aaron T. Beck
This next one of our suicide prevention quotes was written by world-renowned psychological researcher, Aaron T. Beck. Dr. Beck is known as the “Father” of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). We are sharing this quote because we know that when loved ones are suffering from depression and thinking about suicide, many people fear asking them questions about it. They might worry that discussing the subject will push their loved one closer to suicide, or “give them ideas.”
The truth is that people with suicidal ideation feel relieved when someone asks after them about it in a caring way. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicide risk rather than increase it.
“The therapist should not evade probing for the reasons the patient regards suicide as the only escape from his misery or intolerable life situation. The patient generally has considered alternative solutions but has discarded them as useless. The therapist should re-examine these alternatives with the patient.” –Aaron T. Beck
Carl Bard
Carl Bard was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer and editor. He was best known for his poetry. We are sharing this quote from him for suicide prevention awareness month because it conveys hope.
“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start now and make a brand new ending.” –Carl Bard
Hayley Williams
This next suicide prevention quote is from Hayley Williams, lead singer and founder of the rock band, Paramore. We love it because it reminds us of the DBT distress tolerance skill, Wise Mind ACCEPTS. The second “C” in ACCEPTS stands for comparisons. It involves comparing your current situation to a time when you were able to cope successfully in the past. This can remind you that your life isn’t miserable all the time, and your life can be worth living.
“When you feel like giving up, just remember why you held on for so long.” – Hayley Williams
Winston Churchill
The “British Bulldog” was known for his fighting spirit, which we think is encapsulated in this quote.
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill
Harold Kushner
Harold Kushner was a rabbi, author, and lecturer. We are sharing his suicide prevention quote because we like how it recalls the DBT skill Mindfulness of Current Emotion. No emotion lasts forever. If you are in emotional pain, you can step back and observe it rather than fighting it or hanging on. Allow the emotion to come and go on its own, like a wave.
“Grit your teeth and let it hurt. Don’t deny it, don’t be overwhelmed by it. It will not last forever.” – Harold Kushner
C.S. Lewis
Our final suicide prevention quote comes from CS Lewis, a British writer, literary scholar, and Anglican lay theologian who was best known for his novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” We love the hopefulness it conveys.
“There are far, far better things ahead than anything we leave behind.” – CS Lewis
How Do I Find a DBT Therapist Near Me?
If you experience thoughts of suicide or urges to hurt yourself, please reach out for help. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence based treatment for suicidal behaviors. At Gladstone Psychiatry and Wellness, we have a comprehensive DBT-Linehan Board of Certification certified DBT program. Contact us at dbt@gladstonepsych.com to learn more.