Find Hope
Shining through the darkest hours
“I’m going through a really tough time. I’ve been drinking and using in a way that’s not great for me. I’ve been hurt by a lot of people since I was young, and sometimes I’m tired of being strong. I’ve struggled with self-harm in the past, and in my lowest moments, it can be hard to see a way forward. For the most part I do a solid job of keeping up appearances. I could use some help, but don’t want to freak out my friends or make everyone uncomfortable. I want to start feeling better.”
While many of us may feel isolated by our toughest struggles – depression, anxiety, substance use, thoughts of self-harm or suicide – we’re certainly not alone. These conditions may have their roots in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The more adversity we experience in childhood, the more likely we are to struggle with alcohol and substance use as teens and adults. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors are among the most common challenges associated with ACEs, despite the fact that we don’t tend to discuss them openly or often enough.
There is hope
The fact that you want to feel better is huge. There are so many of us who understand what you’re going through, and many who have made it through to feeling better most of the time. Talking to someone in your life, naming out loud some of the things you’ve been carrying, asking for help despite potentially initiating an uncomfortable conversation, despite the possibility of feeling like a burden – these may be some of the bravest and most rewarding moments of your life.
They may also someday seem pretty ordinary – how you and your friends and community come to support each other, how you show up for each other and say, I’m here for you. We got this. We’re in this together. There is hope.
Tips and Tools
Create a Safety Plan
- Who can help me and how? Include names and contact details of friends, professionals, and helplines/hotlines
- What would i say to someone else in my situation?
- Where can i go that I feel safe?
- What have i done before that has worked?
- What can i do to distract myself?
- What things make me feel worse that i should avoid?
- If these feelings won’t go away, what should i do? Call 988, go to the ER
- Any other helpful thoughts or ideas
Enlist a Support Network
Resources
The Lifeline provides free 24/7 confidential support whether you’re in need of immediate help or you’re looking for prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Call or text 988, or chat. For TTY, dial 711, then 988.
Click the link or text ACES to 741741 for free crisis counseling 24/7.
24/7 crisis support, information, resources, and connection for LGBTQ young people.
Radical community care via a confidential 24/7 hotline available in the U.S. and Canada run by and for transgender people.
1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a confidential, free, 24/7 information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. The Helpline provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Check out the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message to 435748 to find help near you.
Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264, text 62640, or chat, M-F, 10am-10pm ET. NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Peer-to-Peer is a free educational program for adults with mental health conditions who are looking to better understand themselves and their recovery. The course provides an opportunity for mutual support and growth in a safe, confidential, accepting space.
A warmline is a peer-run listening line staffed by people in mental health recovery themselves.
A powerful, diverse collection of portraits and true stories of suicide attempt survivors across the U.S.
A global movement of people sharing their stories to provide hope and encouragement to young LGBTQ+ people.
Wherever we are in our own journeys - we could all use some care and support.
You’re so totally worth it.