Letter to Reader for Suicide Prevention

Dear Reader,

In moments when the weight you’re carrying feels too heavy, I hope these words offer support—not just for now, but also for the journey ahead.

It’s easy to measure worth by what you do, have, or are—achievements, possessions, or traits like attractiveness. However, your true worth is intrinsic, not external. You are deeply loved and truly worthy simply because you’re human.

Grounding Yourself

When your mind feels overwhelmed, your senses can become your greatest asset. By focusing on something outside the noise—like the warmth of a soft blanket, the coolness of ice in your hands, the taste of a sour candy, or the smell of fresh coffee—you can ground yourself in the present moment. Going outside for a walk, feeling the sunshine on your skin, or taking in the trees can also help. Alternatively, staying in and observing the colors or shapes in a room can provide a similar sense of calm. These grounding moments offer your brain a break from the storm.

Understanding Your Thoughts

Understanding how these thoughts affect you is also crucial. Honor your emotions and challenge negative thoughts. Every thought is like walking the same path through dirt: the more you walk it, the more defined it becomes, and the easier it is to follow. Your brain works the same way—repeated thoughts build mental pathways and influence the chemicals released in your brain. Even if you’ve followed the same path for years, choosing a new thought is like stepping off the worn trail and creating a new one. At first, the new path feels unfamiliar, but with practice, the old one weakens and new ones form. This is neuroplasticity—your brain isn’t fixed but has the power to change!

Real Change

Real change comes from understanding the architecture behind your thoughts and how their parts and mechanisms work together. Think of it like solving a math problem: if you are solving X + 3 = 10 but keep getting 15, the issue is not with the solution but with the formula you are using. In the same way, your brain runs on beliefs which are like formulas; when the formulas change, your thoughts, feelings, and actions naturally shift too.

Hope and Healing

No matter how long you’ve struggled, your brain can rewire. Your past shaped you, but it doesn’t define what’s possible now. Healing is possible, even when it seems beyond reach.

Kind Regards,