There are times in life when a person may feel that it’s all becoming too much. Worries, loneliness, conflicts, loss or a deep sense of inner exhaustion can feel so overwhelming that thoughts such as „I can’t go on“ or „I just don’t want to be here any more“ may arise. Suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously. At the same time, the fact that they occur does not mean that a person has to act on them. It is particularly important during such a crisis not to remain alone and to accept support.

Sometimes such thoughts arise suddenly; sometimes they develop over a longer period of time. A person may appear to be coping with everyday life on the outside, yet still feel, deep down, that there is no way out. It is therefore not always obvious to family members or friends just how great the strain actually is.

It is precisely in situations like these that you should not play down your own feelings. If you are feeling desperate, you do not have to reach a certain point before you can „allow“ yourself to seek help. Having a chat can be a first step towards breaking the cycle of worrying thoughts and no longer having to cope with the situation entirely on your own.

The most important step is often also the most difficult: talking to someone else. This could be a trusted family member, a friend, a doctor, a therapist or a counselling service. You don’t need to have a solution in mind just yet. Sometimes, a simple sentence like, „I’m feeling really low at the moment and I need someone to listen to me,“ is enough to start with.“

Another Pastoral care helpline For some people, this may be an initial opportunity to express their thoughts and not feel completely alone in a distressing situation. However, if suicidal thoughts are severe, professional medical or psychotherapeutic support should also be sought as soon as possible.

Many people are afraid to voice their thoughts. Perhaps they don’t want to burden anyone, or they fear they won’t be understood. Yet thoughts that keep going round and round in one’s head can feel particularly overwhelming when one is left completely alone with them.

Our Pastoral care hotline can provide a safe space in which concerns can first be voiced without the need to find answers to all questions straight away. A conversation does not automatically change one’s entire life situation. However, it can help to organise one’s thoughts, express feelings of stress and identify the next small step to take.

Especially during a serious crisis, you don’t have to sort out your whole life straight away. Sometimes, the first step is simply to get through the next few hours or the next day and allow yourself to accept support.

For many people, faith can be a source of hope, comfort and a sense of connection, particularly in difficult times. At the same time, some people experience precisely the opposite during crises: they feel abandoned by God, have doubts, or wonder why they have to suffer at all.

It is perfectly acceptable to voice such thoughts. Doubts are not a personal failure. The Telephone counselling can create a space in which both personal despair and questions about God can be openly discussed.

It is important to note, however, that prayer and pastoral care should not replace professional medical or psychotherapeutic support when suicidal thoughts arise. They can provide complementary support, offer comfort and help ensure that you do not have to face a difficult situation entirely on your own.

If someone close to you talks about thoughts of death or suicide, it can be quite a shock at first. Nevertheless, it is important to listen and take what they say seriously. Accusations, hasty advice or comments such as „But you’ve got so much to live for“ can make the person concerned feel even less understood.

It is more helpful to listen carefully and reassure them: ‘You don’t have to deal with these thoughts on your own right now.’ You can then discuss together what kind of professional support might be appropriate. If there is an immediate danger, the person affected should not be left alone and professional emergency help should be sought without delay.

A serious crisis can narrow one’s view of the future to such an extent that, at that moment, change seems unimaginable. That is precisely why it is important not to have to make decisions based solely on the circumstances of that moment. Other people can help to share some of the burden and, together, seek support and new perspectives.

The Faith & life counselling von GOTTERFAHREN offers people the opportunity to talk about personal concerns, life crises and questions of faith. A pastoral conversation can help people to express their thoughts, feel understood and find new hope.

If you are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts, you should not keep them to yourself. It is important to confide in someone you trust and to seek professional medical or psychotherapeutic help. In the event of an acute crisis, you should contact a psychiatric emergency service, a A&E department or the local emergency services immediately. The first step doesn’t have to be finding a solution to everything straight away. Sometimes it simply starts with telling someone else just how difficult things are at the moment.