Suicide is a serious global issue, taking the lives of nearly 800,000 people each year, according to the World Health Organization. Never underestimate the power of a conversation; showing empathy, understanding, and support can go a long way toward preventing suicide. Here, we’ve compiled 20 of the most thought-provoking and enlightening quotes on suicide awareness, intended to inspire hope, understanding, and action.
Suicide Awareness Quotes
- “Place your hand over your heart, can you feel it? That is called purpose. You’re alive for a reason so don’t ever give up.” – Unknown
- “Suicide doesn’t end the chances of life getting worse, it eliminates the possibility of it ever getting any better.” – Unknown
- “When you feel like giving up, just remember the reason why you held on for so long.” – Unknown
- “Anyone desperate enough for suicide…should be desperate enough to go to creative extremes to solve problems: elope at midnight, stow away on the boat to New Zealand and start over, do what they always wanted to but were afraid to try.” – Richard Bach
- “Never never never give up.” – Winston Churchill
- “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
- “If you want to show me that you really love me, don’t say that you would die for me, instead stay alive for me.” – Unknown
- “The person who completes suicide, dies once. Those left behind die a thousand deaths, trying to relive those terrible moments and understand … Why?” – Clark
- “We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.” – Arthur Ashe
- “The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.” – Ben Okri
- “There are far, far better things ahead than anything we leave behind.” – C.S. Lewis
- “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” – Phil Donahue
- “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” – Wendy Mass
- “Take a shower, wash off the day. Drink a glass of water. Make the room dark. Lie down and close your eyes. Notice the silence. Notice your heart. Still beating. Still fighting.” – Unknown
- “When people kill themselves, they think they’re ending the pain, but all they’re doing is passing it on to those they leave behind.” – Jeannette Walls
- “The bravest thing I ever did was continuing my life when I wanted to die.” – Juliette Lewis
- “If you’re looking for a sign not to kill yourself, this is it.” – Unknown
- “Suicide leaves everyone feeling guilty.” – Robert Harris
- “Stigma against mental illness is a scourge with many faces, and the medical community wears a number of those faces.” – Elyn R. Saks
- “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” – English Proverb
These quotes serve as a poignant reminder that everyone struggles, and that it’s okay to ask for help. Never forget that there are always people ready to listen and support you, whether they’re loved ones or professionals who specialize in mental health.
Resources for Suicide Prevention
If you or someone you know is struggling, please turn to these resources for help:
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
- Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741
- LGBT National Hotline: 1-888-843-4564
- Trevor Project Lifeline (for LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-488-7386
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (1-800-662-4357)
Remember, you’re never alone. Reach out, speak up, and let’s continue to raise awareness about suicide and mental health.