I am giving up on life


Corporate Giving - Samaritans

Support Your Employees and Community

Suicide is a serious public health issue that affects employee mental health, morale, and productivity. Whether they are struggling with their own suicidal thoughts, worried about someone else’s health and safety, or grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, many employees have connections to suicide that you may not even be aware of, because of the stigma surrounding suicide.

Help break the stigma by becoming a Samaritans corporate donor through event sponsorships or hosting a suicide prevention workshop at your organization. Demonstrate to your employees and the broader community that you are willing to invest in their collective mental health and wellness.

Provide support for your employees and community

Increase your visibility to our attendees and thousands of online followers

Generate goodwill that can save lives and support those in need

Interested in becoming a corporate sponsor?

Contact our Deputy Director of Development, Kristine Poirier.

Email Kristine

Sponsor Our Marathon Teams

Support our amazing runners as they take on 26.2 miles for suicide prevention. Our Boston Marathon® team started out with two runners in 2007 and now raises more than $200,000 each year! In 2020, we launched our first TCS New York City Marathon team. Your company name or logo will be on our team jerseys as the runners pass by thousands of spectators on race day, and also featured on the Samaritans website.

Sponsor the Breakfast for Hope

Our annual Breakfast for Hope showcases our lifesaving services while raising vital funds for suicide prevention. For more than 600 guests, there is no better way to appreciate the impact Samaritans has on the lives of others and the hope we bring to our community. Sponsorship of the Breakfast for Hope brings your company great visibility in the business community. 

Sponsor the 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention

The 5K Run/Walk for Suicide Prevention is Samaritans’ largest annual event, bringing together more than 2,500 runners, walkers, volunteers, and spectators in celebration of life. Sponsorship provides several options for visibility as your company helps reduce stigma and support important suicide prevention initiatives.

Host a Suicide Prevention Workshop

Your employees are in a position to notice changes in behavior in their fellow coworkers. Our suicide prevention workshops break the stigma of suicide and provide a supportive environment for discussion among colleagues. Staff will leave the workshop with the skills to help someone who may be struggling.

Schedule a Workshop

Learn More

Explore Volunteer Opportunities

There are many meaningful ways for your staff to join our volunteer community – on our 24/7 Helpline, as a Grief Support Services facilitator, or providing event support. We also encourage you to get creative and support the cause in ways that reflect your organization’s values or services – for instance, hosting a dance-a-thon fundraiser.

Get Involved

Other Ways to Donate

“Our choosing to work closely with this organization is because we really believe they can make a difference.

Bill

Sanofi Genzyme, Corporate Donor

Make Your Contribution Today

Donate by Phone

(617) 536-2460 x5

Donate by Mail

Samaritans
41 West St., 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02111

Email with Questions

[email protected]

20 Questions to Ask Yourself if You Feel Like Giving Up

Tips

20 Questions to Ask Yourself if You Feel Like Giving Up


​Life can feel impossible sometimes. There's never enough time to get all of the homework done, break-ups happen, the relationship with your parents might be rocky, and friendships go through conflict. Sometimes things can get so overwhelming that you might want to crawl into your bed and never leave the safety of your covers. Or maybe your thoughts are more serious, and you've considered ending your life to escape your situation. No matter what you are going through, just know that you can get through this. Here are 20 questions to ask yourself if you are feeling hopeless, helpless, or just down in the dumps.

  1. Did you take a shower today? If you have not bathed yourself in the past 24 hours, go do it right now.
  2. Have you eaten anything healthy in the past few hours? Candy bars and soda don't cut it. Go eat something that can give your body healthy energy, like a banana, a handful of nuts, or a piece of cheese.
  3. Have you had any water to drink in the past hour? Being dehydrated can make anyone feel terrible. Go drink some water.
  4. Did you get enough sleep last night? If not, take a nap. Go to bed an hour or two earlier tonight. Sleep is critically important for good mental health, so make sure you are getting enough on a daily basis.
  5. Have you gone on a walk in the past 24 hours? Not just a walk to the bathroom or fridge, but a walk that lasts around 30 minutes. If going outside is not an option for you, walk around the mall or a large store.
  6. Is it daytime, and are you dressed? Take off your pajamas and get cleaned up. Wear something that you really like, such as a dress, nice shirt, or your favorite pair of shoes. Put on make-up. Shave.
  7. Is it nighttime, and you can't sleep? Go get your pajamas on. Fill your bed up with blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals. Put all electronics away, and then lay down with your eyes closed for 15 minutes. It might help to turn on a noise machine, fan, or an hour long YouTube video with the sound of rain falling.
  8. Do you feel unproductive? Think of a small thing you can do today (i.e. make your bed, respond to an email, fold a load of clean laundry, do a homework assignment). Set a timer for how long you think it should take, then see if you can beat your guess. The timer will keep you motivated and make the task slightly more fun.  
  9. Any recent medication changes? If you've been put on (or taken off) of a medication, missed a dose, or have been switched to a generic brand, this can really throw your body and mind for a loop. Wait a few days and see if things improve, but if they do not, give your doctor a call and let them know.
  10. Do you feel unattractive? ​Go back to question 6, then take a selfie. Be your own best friend and identify at least 2 things from the picture that you like about yourself.
  11. Did you sing today or dance today? If not, turn on a song you know by heart, move to music, and sing at the top of your lungs.
  12. Do you feel frozen by a major decision you have to make? Put your major decision on the backburner for a few hours and focus on the tasks you need to accomplish for the day. Give yourself permission not to think about the decision while you work on the things you need to get done. At the end of the day, jot down your thoughts about your decision. Repeat this process until things become clear to you. The right decision will come to you at the right time.
  13. Have you hugged someone recently? If not, it's time to go approach a friend, parent, sibling, or even your pet to get a hug. You may be surprised at how some basic physical contact can turn even the worst day around.
  14. Have you given someone a compliment in the past 24 hours? If not, go do it. This could be on social media or in person. Look for a quality that you admire and then let them know.
  15. Do your friends know what you're going through? If not, call them right now and tell them. It's important that you let other people know how you're feeling.
  16. Are you focused forward, or do you dwell on the past? Past events and things in this moment may be painful-- but what about in a month, a year, 5 years? You never know what wonderful things may be around the corner for you. Allow yourself to hope and dream; set goals, and look at the road ahead instead of your rearview mirror.
  17. When is the last time you've told your story? It's important to write or talk about what you have been through. Write about your journey in a journal or via a blog.
  18. Have you exhausted yourself lately- physically, socially, emotionally, or intellectually? Giving a lot of yourself to any activity can take a toll that might last for a few days. Think of yourself as a battery- you need time to recharge after you've used up your energy. Be gentle with yourself, and take time to recoup. Maybe that looks like watching a funny movie, spending time alone, or sleeping a few extra hours this week.
  19. Have you waited a week? When life starts to get you down, it's easy to feel like things have always been this way, even when that's not true. Today, it's important that you make a commitment to keep yourself going for a week, whatever it takes. If you are still feeling this way seven days from now, get help from someone you trust. You deserve to feel better and there is a lot of help out there for you. Never give up.
  20. Have you talked to a counselor recently? If you do not have a counselor, give one of ours a call (for free!): 1-800-448-3000. If you have a counselor, make an appointment and talk about what's going on in your life.

On particularly rough days when I’m sure I can’t possibly endure, I like to remind myself that my track record for getting through bad days so far is 100%. And that’s pretty good.

-Author Unknown

Adapted from: Sinope, “Everything is Awful and I’m Not Okay: Questions to Ask Before Giving Up.”​​

Overwhelmed, Regrets, Suicidal Thoughts

It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.

It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again.

Why don't you even like a prestigious job with a good salary?

According to a survey conducted by the hh.ru Research Service among 7865 applicants, 28% of respondents do not like the activity they are engaged in. 39% percent often have thoughts: "How tired I am (a)" , "How tired I am of all this" . And 56% of respondents would like to change the scope of . This is an average figure, and in some professional areas the proportion of those who want to change their field is much higher. For example, among administrative staff, sales specialists and top-level managers, there are 72%, 65% and 64% of such people, respectively. nine0009

The reasons for dissatisfaction with work, of course, are different. Someone does not see salary and career prospects in their field, and someone suffers "only" from the fact that they do not get satisfaction from work and its results (39% of respondents) and from the lack of interesting tasks (27% of respondents). From the outside, it may even seem like a whim. But for those who have such a problem, this does not make it any easier.

Why has the topic of changing professions become so popular these days? Some 50 years ago and even less, there was no question of enjoying work. There is work - and that's enough. And now we want something more, we are even dissatisfied with working with a high salary and a prestigious position, in a stable well-known company and an excellent team. True, those to whom such work seems like the ultimate dream still look at those who want to give up all this for reasons of “boring” and “I don’t see the point in working” as a whim and a whim. However, the problem exists. nine0009

What is the reason? This question is of interest to psychologists, economists, and modern philosophers.

More recently, money was considered the only motivation for work. But in the 20th century, researchers of motivation to work began to note non-economic factors of motivation and divide motives into internal and external . Simply put, it's not just about money. And the further, the more important are non-monetary motives.

This is due to the fact that the level and lifestyle of people over the past 100 years has changed a lot. It is no longer necessary to survive, like people of past eras, basic material needs are more or less satisfied. And as soon as this happens, higher-order needs come to the fore (remember Maslow's famous pyramid). nine0009

This is manifested in the desire not just to earn money, but to do something that causes universal approval, recognition, admiration. Or satisfy your own research interest. So there is a desire to bring obvious benefits - to engage in socially approved activities (for example, charity, pedagogy). Or go into creativity - bring beauty to people, do something that causes admiration (design, architecture, painting, music, and so on). Or immerse yourself in a field that you are simply interested in, for example, art history, scientific research, producing creative projects. nine0009

On the other hand, the work of office professionals is becoming increasingly abstract. Therefore, people sometimes lose a sense of the value of their work , it begins to seem meaningless to themselves or others. This may be related to the desire to do manual labor so that there is a specific tangible result. For example, a securities specialist can leave a successful career in a bank to become a carpenter and make furniture with his own hands, a PR manager can go to a confectioner, an accountant can become a hair stylist. nine0009

This is what Matthew Crawford, an American writer and Ph.D. , who once left a university job to open a motorcycle repair shop, had to say about it:

learning: potential is valued more than a tangible finished product. But this can lead to a feeling of insecurity, which is very uncomfortable for some types of temperament. A craftsman works according to certain standards. A carpenter, in response to the claims of his boss, can always say: "Just look - this is good work, beautifully and neatly done. " Without such specific standards, you have nothing to rely on. Everything you do is open to interpretation, and you spend half your time trying to manage the impression that is made of you. Since everything you do is open to criticism, you are always looking for approval. Whereas electricians don't need it: the lights turn on - what more could you ask for?" nine0004

The desire to radically change one's profession may be the result of burnout or a psychological midlife crisis. The causes of burnout are usually associated with overtime and stress. And you can read about the desire to change profession in connection with the psychological crisis in our interview with a psychologist. A crisis always strikes at the weakest point. If the weak point is professional self-realization, then you will want to start everything from scratch in the profession, catch up on something that seems lost, something to prove to yourself and others. nine0009

Whatever your motives, there are different options for how to proceed. In each case, it's up to you to decide. But it’s always better not to cut off the shoulder, but to act in a balanced way: if you now have an objectively good job, you have something to lose.

You put an end to your previous career, say goodbye to a boring profession and literally start everything from scratch in a new field.

Pros.
The opportunity to start a new life, plunge headlong into a new profession, environment and acquaintances, completely disconnect from what you are disappointed in or tired of, is always like a breath of fresh air. The first steps in a new profession usually cause excitement and a surge of enthusiasm. Because everything is new, and everything new seems interesting. nine0009

There are examples of successful transitions, and some people generally tend to change professions several times in their lives, as soon as they lose interest in the previous one.

Cons.
You are giving up the benefits that you deserved by previous achievements - a good salary, status and stability.

There are no guarantees that in a new profession you will achieve the same level of earnings and status (position level, weight, recognition in the professional community). Or it can take quite a long time. nine0009

It is possible that in terms of earnings, the level that you had in your previous profession is unattainable in principle in your new profession. Are you ready to lower your standard of living for the sake of your favorite profession?

At the initial stages, along with the pleasure of a new profession, you may have to experience psychological discomfort. Because you are starting your journey in an unfamiliar field, where no one knows you yet, and your previous achievements do not matter. You are again in the role of a beginner. But it is one thing to start such a path at 20 years old, and quite another thing at 30-40 years old, when you are already used to a certain status. nine0009

There is a possibility of disappointment in a new field. It seems attractive from the outside, but when you find yourself inside, it turns out that it has its own routine and its own shortcomings. It remains to be seen whether you want to put up with them.

Tips.
Try to act carefully and as carefully as possible. If it boils so much that you want to break forever with your former profession and not even think about it, it would be good to figure out the reasons first - otherwise the same reasons may soon catch up with you in your new profession. nine0009

To move into a new sphere from scratch, it is better to first create a financial cushion and prepare loved ones for the changes. The path to new success can be long and difficult.

It's great if you have an idea of ​​what you want to do next. It often happens that an acute desire to say goodbye to the former profession has already matured, and there is no clarity with the choice of a new business. Stepping into nowhere is not the best idea. It is worth passing at least a serious detailed career guidance test or consulting with career consultants. By the way, it happens that for the pleasure of work it is enough to reconsider the type of career or business role, while remaining in the same profession. nine0009

But if you decide to move, don't be afraid of failure. If it doesn't work out, if you don't like it - you can always go back to where you are a recognized pro. This is not a shame: you just explored a new area and at the same time gained new experience.

You already know what you would like to do, what attracts you. Try this business first as a hobby, without parting with your usual profession.

Pros.
You do not refuse stability and a good salary, status, but at the same time you try something interesting for you. nine0009

If you like the job, then the hobby can gradually develop into a profession - so that you enter it not quite as a beginner and even with a set of necessary contacts. It's much easier than starting from scratch.

In any case, a new hobby will allow you to switch and can give you energy to survive the burnout and frustration of your usual job.

Cons.
Not suitable for all activities. For example, it is still possible to conduct amateur lectures on the history of art in some local cultural center, but to engage in psychological consultations without being a professional psychologist, or to conduct classes with children without being a teacher, is unlikely. nine0009

Tips.
Start learning, attend thematic events, find groups on this topic in social networks and join them, subscribe to the stars of the professional community.

You will find a circle of acquaintances in a new professional environment and will be able to find out from those who already work there what are the disadvantages and prospects. This will allow you to make an informed decision whether you should transfer this business to the format of a profession or it is better to leave it in hobby mode.

You are doing a new favorite thing professionally in parallel with your usual main job: for example, in the evenings, on weekends, or you agree on a shortened work week for this at your main job. nine0009

Usually the second profession gradually "grows" out of a hobby. And an invitation to the first job in a new specialty also often comes from hobby friends - we wrote about such stories. But you can try to start a parallel profession from scratch - for example, go to school and immediately look for a job.

Pros.
You combine business with pleasure: a bored profession that gives you a stable income and status, with a profession that is more interesting to you or seems more useful than the main one. This is a good compromise: you don't have to worry about money and losing status. nine0009

If nothing works out in your new profession, you don't risk anything because you didn't quit your old job. If everything works out in a new profession, you can gradually completely switch to it when you become an experienced specialist in it, and not a beginner.

Experience in two different professions allows you to look at work processes from an unexpected angle in each of them. You may have ideas on how to combine the advantages of both professions in one activity. nine0009

Cons.
You will have almost no free time, and more duties and responsibilities. It is one thing to do something as a hobby, purely for fun and not responsible for anything, another thing is to do it on a professional basis and be responsible. As a result, fatigue and stress are possible. Some people have enough energy for two professions, some do not.

Tips.
Soberly assess your strengths and workload at your main job: do they allow you to take on a new additional load? Keep in mind that at first parallel work will take a lot of energy, even if you only do it a couple of days a week. Just because you have to dive into everything new. nine0009

Think about how to free up time for a second job and set aside at least one day for a good rest to recuperate. Option: agree on a shortened working day or a shortened working week at the main place. If this is not possible at your current job, you should find a more forgiving option before starting to work in a second profession.

____________________
Do you have several ideas at once, what would you like to do in parallel with your main job? Try to choose what suits you best with the help of a detailed career guidance test. nine0009

Good luck! There should be a place for pleasure in work.

More about career development

🚩 Was the material helpful? Share it with your friends on social networks!
The repost button is in the header of the article

To other articles

“I myself!”: why we refuse help and how to learn to accept it

April 11, 2022 Life

Children's experience is to blame for everything, but it can be overcome on your own with the help of psychologist's tips. nine0009

You can listen to a short version of the article. If it's more convenient for you, turn on the podcast.

What beliefs prevent us from accepting help? This also affects his attitude to help. Here are some common beliefs why we refuse it.

Accepting help means being obligated

Perhaps the parents were of the opinion that any service must be repaid. And in order not to become a "debtor", you need to reject such proposals. nine0009

Kristina Kostikova

Psychologist.

At the bottom of this belief lie difficulties in building interpersonal boundaries, lack of emotional separation from parents, as well as the fear of being bad if you refuse a person who has already helped you.

Another common reason is parental manipulation. Doing something for the child, they automatically thought that now he is obliged to do something for them. By refusing, he faced reproaches of ingratitude. nine0009

The child came to a logical conclusion: since it is impossible to refuse mutual favors, it is better not to ask mom and dad for anything. Having matured, he extends this belief throughout his life and tries to protect himself from such manipulations as best he can.

Accepting help means admitting one's weakness

Parents tried to convince the child that he shouldn't share his difficulties with others. To admit that you couldn't do something meant to make yourself vulnerable, and this could be taken advantage of by enemies. It is possible that family members tended to deny the existence of problems in principle. nine0009

All this gave rise in a person to an internal ban on accepting help, as well as great tension and doubts about how normal it is to experience difficulties.

Accepting help means not coping with the task

This happens if a child was praised only when he did something on his own. Only the results obtained through pain and difficulties were valued. And if he was helped, it is no longer his merit. Then the child could hear reproaches, sarcasm, ridicule.

Kristina Kostikova

Psychologist.

Growing up, a person unconsciously begins to look at his life through the prism of "it counts - it does not count." Accepting help means losing the inner game with his parents and himself, so he will avoid it in every possible way.

To accept help means to redo everything later.

A person is sure that his potential helpers will do everything wrong. As a result, time will be wasted and will have to be redone. The parental pattern of behavior here is guessed “from three notes”. The child was asked to do something, and then, instead of gratitude, they were scolded for the inability to cope with the task. nine0009

Kristina Kostikova

Psychologist.

As you can see, behind all the above reasons lies a deeper layer of perception. From all situations, the psyche of people has learned that it is not safe to accept help. Refusing it, people simply do not want to face unbearable experiences for them.

How to deal with limiting beliefs

There is no universal way, because everyone has their own reasons for refusing help. To learn to accept it, it is important to find exactly what belief is blocking you and work with it. Kristina Kostikova advises to think over several questions:

  • Why do I refuse to accept help?
  • What do I associate with accepting help?
  • Am I eligible for assistance?
  • What will I think of myself if I accept it?
  • How would I feel if someone helped me?
  • What do I think of people who easily accept help when they need it?
  • What was the attitude towards help in my family?
  • What am I afraid of? What is the worst thing that can happen to me if I accept help? nine0200

When the cause is found, it is important to realize that you have chosen a strategy of behavior as the only one available and safe for your psyche. This is fine. Living organisms tend to adjust and adapt to the environment in which they are located.

Don't blame or scold yourself for this. Judging parents is also not an option. They did the best they could and could not share with you what they did not possess themselves. But you have to wonder if this strategy is good for you now. If not, change it. nine0009

You need to see that unconsciously you transfer the situation of interaction with your parents to everyone around you. But other people are not your mother or father. Try to accept help and prove to yourself the opposite, positive side of this process. Even if you feel that you are falling into previous experiences, explain to yourself the true reason for what is happening, try to support yourself and act in a new way.

Kristina Kostikova

Psychologist.

Accepting help is absolutely normal. We are living people who can have difficulties. You will be able to move on much faster and more joyfully if you understand that each of us sometimes needs support and support.


Learn more