Background Information

Suicide is the act of intentionally taking one's own life. Views on suicide are culturally based and differ widely. Most Western and Asian religions including Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism consider suicide a dishonorable act.  In many societies suicide is considered a crime and a sin against God because of the belief in the sanctity of life.  Aside from those who commit suicide for political reasons it is generally believed that thoughts of suicide are a cry for help and require treatment of mental health problems such as depression or despair.  Most people who say they are going to kill themselves do not.  Most are trying to escape a bad situation but unless they are able to get the help they need suicide will often be the result.  About eleven million people around the world die by suicide annually.

Facts about suicide from the Center for Disease Control

What to do Right Now!

• If you, or someone you love, is feeling suicidal, call a suicide hotline now.

• If you, or someone you love, is feeling suicidal also see this helpful information.

• Suicidal individuals are feeling deep pain and see suicide as the only way out of that pain.  Over 80% of those who commit suicide give out warning signs to friends and family.  It is important to look for those warning signs and to provide intervention. Those who are suicidal cannot see options on their own.  They need help.

• What is common to all suicidal individuals is a sense of loss. This loss can be almost anything.  It can be an even that has already taken place or it can be anticipatory. When a person feel incapable of handing a loss they begin to experience an emotional crisis -- a breakdown. They are overwhelmed by the emotions they are feeling and they are unable to work through their pain.

• Someone feeling suicidal you may feel trapped and hopeless.  They feel very alone and are not able to reach out for help.  However, being with others is exactly what is needed to try and get their narrow focus off of themselves and onto others.  A major change can lead to highly stressed emotions and even feelings of suicide. Have you or someone you love had a major life change occur recently?  Here are some examples:

  • A key relationship breaking up

  • A family crisis such as a spouse who has cheated

  • Unemployment

  • Fear of facing discipline

  • Trauma from a sexual assault

  • Facing a terminal or other serious illness

• A suicidal individual often has one or more of the following major emotional characteristics:

What to do next

• If you are finding out that there is no way that your income can meet your expenditures you need to take more dramatic steps.

• These steps include: negotiating with your creditors to lower their monthly payments; refinance your home to use the equity to pay off debts; and as a last resort you can declare bankruptcy.

• If the gap between your income and expenditures is not that great--say twenty percent or less -- you may be able to negotiate with your creditors to lower your payments and establish a payment arrangement.  This will almost always mean that your credit line will be closed and you will have the payment arrangement noted on your credit file.  This is not ideal but it is better than bankruptcy when considering your credit history.

• The links below will refer you to several credit counseling services that can help you to accomplish this goal.

• The last resort is to declare bankruptcy.  While this is not an ideal option because it goes onto your credit history for up to ten years it will give you immediate relief from debt collection. 

• Chapter thirteen bankruptcy allows you to reorganize your debts and to negotiate repayment terms with your creditors.  Chapter seven bankruptcy will allow you to walk away from virtually all of your debts (excluding student loans and most tax debts) and start with a clean slate.  In the links below you will find information about these options.

What can you learn from this experience?

Whatever you do you MUST DO SOMETHING!  Ignoring the fact that you are in debt beyond your ability to pay will only make your problems worse and will force you into drastic action.  By being proactive you can also avoid some of the more embarrassing situations such as when your salary is garnished (a percentage of your salary goes towards paying your creditors who have succeeded in obtaining a court judgment against you) or having your car or other personal possessions  repossessed.

Making the mistake of spending too much money and then learning from this mistake can be very helpful in turning around your financial life.  Many people who have recovered from debt have learned how to live within their means, have started to achieve savings and retirement goals, and have learned to delay the instant gratification of spending money for luxury items.

Dealing with financial problems has also helped many individuals reevaluate their career goals and their need to earn more money.  Often that results in continuing educational goals, going into a vocational training program, or building their resume and looking for a new job.

When you consider that everything happens for a reason let the darkest times be the light at the end of the tunnel for better decision making and more positive actions in the future.  Living through financial hardship can be a very positive step towards a more stable, happy, and secure future if you let the lessons learned guide your next steps.