Suicide is Painless

No it's not. It hurts a lot of other people — especially those who love you most.

Thinking about suicide, however, is unavoidable. Sitting in a dark corner, drenched in self-pity, while considering the means of ending it all, and the reasons why one should, is just another facet of being a basket weaver. For me this is nothing to worry about, as long as it is restricted to just thinking about it. I have a set of really, really sad songs to play at such times. At such times, you can get into a sad song in ways that are just not possible at other times. Here's my list, but no doubt you have your own musical preferences.

People with bipolar disorder are at a greatly increased risk of suicide. Suicidal thoughts and feelings should be taken seriously.

If you are feeling suicidal now, please stop long enough to read this. It will only take about five minutes.

Here are some links to suicide help lines and resources on the Net.

New Article: Teaching Wellness

Research has recently demonstrated that teaching illness self-management in addition to medication can significantly improve the quality of life for those with bipolar disorder. This article reviews the scientific evidence.

Reprinted with permission from bp Magazine, Fall 2006.