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988 Partner Toolkit | SAMHSA

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SAMHSA recognizes the need for governments, states, territories, tribes, crisis centers, and partners to speak with one voice to ensure there is a clear understanding about what 988 is and how it will work. We encourage you to use these communication outreach materials and build upon them with your community coalitions to meet the needs of your specific audiences.

These key messages are designed to cover the basics of 988 and provide a strong foundation from which partners can build for their audience-specific needs.

Preparing for full 988 implementation requires a bold vision for a crisis care system that provides direct, life-saving services to all in need. This leads to many questions about the transition to 988 and how 988 will work. We at SAMHSA welcome these questions. Question topic areas are:

  • FAQs about 988
  • FAQs about Federal/State Roles and Funding
  • FAQs about the Lifeline

Printable PDF handouts in English and Spanish explain the basics about 988.

988 Factsheet (English PDF | 4.5 MB)

988 Factsheet (Spanish PDF | 4.4 MB)

The 988 brand embodies the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline's ideals and goals. Used as intended, the 988 brand provides a cohesive look and feel across 988 materials.

This 988 Logo and Branding provides specific information on logo and branding use and guidelines, typography and icon styles, photo choices and the color palette.

SAMHSA is providing this sample e-newsletter template to help partners with engaging your communities around the transition to 988.

Product: Sample E-Newsletter Promoting 988 Resources for Implementing Partners

Target Audience: Partner organizations and professionals who are actively engaged with delivering on or promoting 988.

Timeline: Content current for use after July 16, 2022

Subject Line: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Resources

Download E-Newsletter Template (DOC | 395 KB)

Download Suggested Logo (JPEG | 365 KB)

These Radio Public Service Announcement (PSA) scripts to promote 988 within communities are designed to be read on-air by DJs and other radio talent. In the future, SAMHSA may provide pre-recorded audio files for use as well.

Products: 60-second, 30-second, 15-second scripts

Target Audiences: General public awareness of 988

Timeline: For airing on radio after July 16, 2022

988 Radio Public Service Announcement Scripts

  • 60-Second Script (DOC | 24 KB) (Spanish DOC | 14 KB)
  • 30-Second Script (DOC | 23 KB) (Spanish DOC | 13 KB)
  • 15-Second Script (DOC | 22 KB) (Spanish DOC | 23 KB)

This 988 Powerpoint Presentation Deck is available for partners to customize and use when talking about the transition to 988 within communities around the country.

  • Downloadable Powerpoint Presentation Deck (PPT | 4.5 MB)

This PPT is undergoing remediation for Section 508 accessibility, if you need assistance with accessibility, please contact 988Team@samhsa. hhs.gov.

These 988 operational guidance documents were created with a co-sponsorship group of partners across critical working sectors involved with 988. The playbooks are published by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.

  • 988 Convening Playbook: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Providers (PDF | 1 MB)
  • 988 Convening Playbook: States, Territories, and Tribes (PDF | 1.2 MB)
  • 988 Convening Playbook: Lifeline Contact Centers (PDF | 1.5 MB)
  • 988 Convening Playbook: Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) (PDF | 1.5 MB)

These 988 printable materials have been created for use by governments, states, territories, tribes, crisis centers, and partners to educate and outreach about 988. SAMHSA provides organizations an ability to order limited supplies from the SAMHSA store. If you need larger orders than we are able to send to you, you can use the printer-ready files to make your own. For those of you who need just a few copies of an item, you can print those using the simple PDF download.

SAMHSA expects print materials to be available for ordering in late July. We will regularly update the SAMHSA Store links when products arrive.

Wallet Cards

The following business-sized wallet cards help publicize the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Wallet Card with Icons (2 sided, 3.5 in x 2 in)

  • Downloadable (PDF | 162 KB)
  • Printer-ready file (PDF | 618 KB)
  • Order from the SAMHSA Store

Magnets

The following magnets help publicize the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline phone number and provides access to this life-saving resource in places that are highly visible.

Square Magnet (4.75 in x 4.75 in)

  • Downloadable (PDF | 146 KB)
  • Printer-ready file (PDF | 555 KB)
  • Order from the SAMHSA Store

Stickers

These 2x2 inch stickers in English and Spanish help publicize the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Posters

These posters help publicize the new 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and provides access to this life-saving resource. They are designed to be placed in schools, community centers, counseling offices, clinics, and other settings where people gather.

"Hope" Poster (18 in x 24 in)

  • Downloadable (PDF | 7.2 MB)
  • Printer-ready file (PDF | 11.6 MB)
  • Order from the SAMHSA Store

Safety Plan

The Safety Plan is designed to be printed as a 5”x7” pad, similar to a prescription pad, with 50 sheets of pull off plans. The intended use is for counselors, therapists, clinicians, and others working with people in need of safety plans. It is modified from Stanley & Brown.

Safety Plan (5 in x 7 in)

  • Downloadable (PDF | 96 KB)
  • Printer-ready file (PDF | 524 KB)

When news articles, entertainment programming, or other media material includes content addressing suicide, mental health, or emotional distress, please use one of the end card options to share 988 crisis supports with readers and viewers, especially those who may need help or be in crisis.

These backgrounds are available for partners to use during virtual meetings. Partners can customize these by adding their own state, territory, tribal, and organization logos to the backgrounds as well.

988 Virtual Background in Light Blue (JPG | 40 KB)

988 Virtual Background in Gray (JPG | 38 KB)

988 Virtual Background in Navy (JPG | 41 KB)

The social media messages describe the basics of 988 that apply across the U.S. These 988 shareables were designed for use as social media posts, stories and threads. You can use the videos as individual interactives on the social media platforms, or you can mash the videos together to create your own versions that make sense for your audiences.

Last Updated: 03/02/2023

988 Frequently Asked Questions | SAMHSA

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Full 988 implementation requires a bold vision for a crisis care system that provides direct, life-saving services to all in need. This leads to many questions about 988. We at SAMHSA welcome these questions.

  • FAQs About 988 Basics

  • FAQs About Federal/State Roles and Funding

  • FAQs About Call Routing, Privacy, Network Functioning

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

The Lifeline accepts calls, texts, and chats from anyone who needs support for a suicidal, mental health and/or substance use crisis.

Yes. 988 is built off of the 10-digit number. Using either number will get people to the same services. In the end, 988 is an easier-to-remember way to access a strengthened and expanded network of crisis call centers.

The Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls, chats or texts from anyone who needs support for suicidal, mental health, and/or substance use crisis, and connects those in need with trained crisis counselors.

When calling 988, callers first hear a greeting message while their call is routed to the local Lifeline network crisis center (based on the caller’s area code). A trained crisis counselor answers the phone, listens to the caller, understands how their problem is affecting them, provides support, and shares resources if needed. If the local crisis center is unable to take the call, the caller is automatically routed to a national backup crisis center. The Lifeline provides live crisis center phone services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages for people who call 988.

Chat (English only) is available through the Lifeline’s website at 988lifeline.org/chat. People seeking chat services are provided a pre-chat survey before connecting with a counselor, who identifies the main area of concern. If there is a wait to chat with a crisis counselor, a wait-time message will appear. If demand is high, people can access the Lifeline’s “helpful resources” while waiting. Once you are connected, a crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful.

When someone texts to 988, they are responded to by a group of Lifeline crisis centers that answer both chats and texts. This service will expand over the next few years to increase local and state level response. Once you are connected, a crisis counselor listens to you, works to understand how your problem is affecting you, provides support, and shares resources that may be helpful. Currently, texting is available in English only.

Yes, the Lifeline works. Numerous studies have shown that most Lifeline callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to a Lifeline crisis counselor.

Almost 98% of people who call, chat or text the 988 Lifeline get the crisis support they need and do not require additional services in that moment. The 988 Lifeline crisis counselors are trained to help reduce the intensity of a situation for the person seeking help, and connect them to additional local resources, as needed, to support their wellbeing.

988 was established to improve access to crisis services in a way that meets our country’s growing suicide and mental health-related crisis care needs. 988 provides easier access to the Lifeline network and related crisis resources, which are distinct from the public safety purposes of 911 (where the focus is on dispatching Emergency Medical Services, fire and police as needed).

The 988 and 911 systems will need to be closely coordinated to seamlessly allow referral of callers for appropriate care or response that addresses the unique circumstances present with each crisis encounter. SAMHSA is actively engaged with 911 counterparts at the federal, state, and local levels to plan for smooth coordination between the two services.

Currently, a small percentage of Lifeline calls require activation of the 911 system when there is imminent risk to someone’s life that cannot be reduced during the Lifeline call. In these cases, the crisis counselor shares information with 911 that is crucial to saving the caller’s life.

The primary goal of the Lifeline is to provide support for people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress in the moments they most need it and in a manner which is person-centered. The vast majority of those seeking help from the Lifeline do not require any additional interventions at that moment. Currently, fewer than 2% of Lifeline calls require connection to emergency services like 911. While some safety and health issues may warrant a response from law enforcement and/or Emergency Medical Services (namely when a suicide attempt is in progress), the 988 coordinated response is intended to promote stabilization and care in the least restrictive manner.

All Lifeline crisis centers adhere to the Lifeline’s Imminent Risk Policy, which means that crisis center staff work through active engagement to provide support and assistance for people at risk in the least restrictive setting possible. In fact, most contacts with the Lifeline are resolved by the Lifeline itself, by chat or phone, in a manner that does not require additional immediate intervention.

In most states, the 211 system provides health and social service assistance information and referrals. At the same time, 988 crisis counselors will provide support for people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress in the very moments they need it most. While generally being different in scope, these systems need to be aligned, and in many cases, local Lifeline centers also respond to 211 contacts. We envision that 988 crisis centers will need to continue to coordinate with 211 and other warmlines. This will help ensure an all-inclusive approach regardless of which number a person may use first.

There are ongoing efforts to improve cultural competency training for Lifeline crisis counselors. In 2021, there were several activities addressing this, including updating pages on the Lifeline website and creating specific tools for crisis counselors, such as Spanish-language clinical guidance resources, Deaf and Hard of Hearing best practices for callers/chat visitors, an LGBTQ+ guidance document, an American Indian/Alaska Native tip sheet and more.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988Lifeline on social media and on the web) is the new name for the former National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It’s important to understand that 988 connects people to more than just a “suicide” line; 988 is a service for anyone who is suicidal or experiencing a mental health- and/or substance use-related crisis. For partners talking about 988, it’s important that we don’t call this only a “suicide” lifeline, but instead refer to it as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Yes. 988 is the easy-to-remember number that reaches what is commonly referred to as the Lifeline—a network of more than 200 state and local call centers funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse Administration and administered by Vibrant Emotional Health. Formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the full name has changed to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Anyone in a U.S. state, territory, or tribe who needs suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or who has a loved one in crisis, can connect with a trained counselor by calling (multiple languages), chatting, or texting (English only) 988 (as long as the caller has telephone, cellular or internet services available to them).

SAMHSA’s longer-term vision is that the transition to 988, which began in July 2022, will spur the growth of a robust crisis care system across our country that links callers to community-based providers who can deliver a full range of crisis care services (like mobile crisis teams or stabilization centers). Currently, these crisis care services do not exist in all areas of the country, and it will take time and sustained support to for this crisis care system to evolve.

Yes. Anyone who needs suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or who has a loved one in crisis, can connect with a trained counselor by calling, chatting, or texting 988 (as long as the caller has telephone, cellular or internet services available to them).

Yes, the Lifeline responds 24/7 to calls (multiple languages), chats, or texts (English only) from anyone who needs mental health-related or suicide crisis support and connects them with trained crisis counselors. The support and service received from the crisis counselors is provided at no charge to those who use the service; however, standard data rates from telecommunication mobile carriers may apply to those who text to the Lifeline. If monetary assistance is needed for communications needs, please see www.fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers for more information.

The Lifeline currently provides live crisis center calling services in English and Spanish and uses Language Line Solutions to provide translation services in over 250 additional languages. Text and chat are currently available in English only.

The Lifeline currently serves TTY users either through their preferred relay service or by dialing 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Lifeline also offers services through chat and text. Lifeline is in the process of expanding to video phone service to better serve deaf or hard of hearing individuals seeking help through the Lifeline/988.

SAMHSA is working closely with the Lifeline administrator to ensure this critical functionality is enabled as quickly as possible. Right now, people who speak Spanish and other languages should call 988 to reach a crisis counselor who can speak with them in their native language. 

When you reach out to 988, the Lifeline crisis counselor who responds to you will know your phone number if you call/text, or your IP address if you use chat. Beyond that, they will not know who you are or where you are located. And you are not required to provide any personal information to receive support from the 988 Lifeline.

If a 988 Lifeline crisis counselor makes an effort to gather information during a call, text or chat, it will be to: 1) save lives; 2) connect people to ongoing support; and 3) evaluate 988 Lifeline services.

Yes. In fall 2022, the 988 Lifeline began a pilot program to offer specialized call, text, and chat supports for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQI+) youth and young adults. The program aims to support people under the age of 25 who reach out to the 988 Lifeline and want the option of connecting with a counselor specifically focused on meeting the needs of LGBTQI+ youth and young adults. The specialized services are currently available by call, text, and chat services 24/7.

The Biden-Harris administration has increased federal investments 18-fold (from $24M to $432M) for this national priority. Congress has provided the Department of Health and Human Services workforce funding through the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Also, the President’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget request provides additional funding for the Lifeline itself and for other existing federal crisis funding sources. At the state and territory level, in addition to existing public/private sector funding streams, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 allows states to enact new telecommunication fees to help support 988 operations.

There are several existing federal resources that can be leveraged to support 988 implementation. Examples from SAMHSA include the crisis set-aside through the Mental Health Block Grant as well as funding through the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) program. States are also able to leverage Medicaid dollars and State Opioid Response grants. States can find descriptions of these funding sources in the 988 Convening Playbook for States, Territories, and Tribes.

Successful 988 implementation requires ongoing investment and engagement from states and territories. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has been available to all states since its launch in 2005. Regarding the transition to 988, states are at varying degrees of readiness for the volume increases expected from moving to the 3-digit code. The Biden-Harris administration has significantly increased the federal government’s contribution to supporting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Most of these funds have gone to Lifeline crisis centers around the country, and to states and territories to build up their local crisis call center workforce. SAMHSA will continue to partner with states, providing a network infrastructure as well as state support through funding opportunities, coordination, and technical assistance.

We recognize the important and timely work of states/territories to prepare for the transition to 988, both now and in the months ahead. To assist, SAMHSA is funding and working with states/territories directly on critical efforts they will need to undertake in support of 988 at their local and community levels. For instance, the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 gave states the ability to enact new telecommunications fees to financially support 988 operations, yet very few states have done this so far. Success of 988 will rest heavily upon state, territorial and local leadership in leveraging the resources already available, in addition to making new investments. We will continue to work in close partnership with them to meet the crisis care needs of people across our country.

SAMHSA provided all states and territories an opportunity to apply for funding to support 988 implementation designed to build local 988 capacity; only two states (AK and RI) did not apply, though SAMHSA is in close collaboration with them. In April 2022, SAMHSA awarded nearly $105 million in grant funding, provided by the American Rescue Plan, to 54 states and territories. Regardless of whether a state or territory received funds through that specific grant program, SAMHSA works with all states and territories to partner around enhanced crisis service capacity. HHS has several funding sources to support 988 and integrated crisis care. States, territories, and tribes are encouraged to explore which funding resources are helpful to them. States can find descriptions of these funding sources in the 988 Convening Playbook for States, Territories, and Tribes.

In future years, 988 funding needs will depend on contact volume to the crisis centers and resource needs for full implementation. This may include support to strengthen network operations, strengthening local crisis center capacity, improving public awareness of 988, and improving follow up and linkage to local, crisis care services. Any future federal funding needs will be put forth in subsequent Presidents’ budget requests.

Sources of federal funding for 988 are separate from those of the 911 system. Additionally, the 2020 Hotline Designation Act permits states to apply specific 988 telecommunication fees to support crisis services in a manner that is distinct from fees used to support 911 operations. State and local support of both 988 and 911 are necessary to advance the health and well-being of our communities.

As a component of SAMHSA’s funding, states/territories are required to address outreach and engagement strategies for populations at higher risk of suicide (many of whom are communities of color and historically marginalized groups), including plans for how they will measure effectiveness in improving outcomes and access to services across populations.

As Vibrant Emotional Health is the administrator of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, it was essential to invest heavily in network infrastructure in order to strengthen and expand the network to meet the expected increase in demand when transitioning to 988. This includes strengthening national back-up capacity to address expected contact volume while states and territories continue to expand local services.

SAMHSA provided resources for 988 partners to use when communicating about 988 to their audiences, such as content and graphics for social/digital sharing. HHS is working with Congress to ensure federal resources for a national campaign to advertise or promote awareness of 988 to the public.

Anyone who needs suicide or mental health-related crisis support, or who has a loved one in crisis, can connect with a trained counselor by calling, chatting, or texting 988 (if the caller has telephone, cellular or internet service available to them). This is true for Tribal nations, as well. However, SAMHSA recognizes the unique implementation barriers and challenges facing Tribal nations and is committed to supporting coordination efforts with the existing Lifeline infrastructure. SAMHSA expects state and territories to coordinate with Tribal nations to ensure supportive response for tribal contacts to 988, while maintaining respect for Tribal nation sovereignty.

988 provides an easier-to-remember way for people who are struggling or in crisis to reach out for help. This is an opportunity to strengthen and expand the Lifeline network and to build a robust crisis response system that links people in crisis to community-based providers who can deliver a full range of crisis care services, if needed (like mobile crisis teams or stabilization centers). This more robust system will be essential to meeting crisis care needs across the nation.

Having enough capacity to meet the growing demand for suicide and crisis care needs across the country is the primary focus of SAMHSA’s 988 efforts. This includes strengthening and expanding crisis call center services. It also means improving follow up and linkage to local in-person crisis services and access to community prevention tools and resources, as well as residential and outpatient care.

People contacting 988 are not required to provide any personal data to receive services. SAMHSA recognizes the importance and the expectation of privacy when a person contacts 988. The network system has several safeguards to address concerns about privacy.

Any effort to obtain demographic information from those who use 988 will serve three primary purposes: 1) to save lives; 2) to connect people to ongoing supports; and 3) to evaluate system needs and performance, particularly ensuring that gaps and inequities are being addressed.

No. The Lifeline administrator, Vibrant Emotional Health, is a not-for-profit organization with a primary mission to support emotional wellbeing for all people, and it does not sell Lifeline data.

No, geolocation services are not enabled for 988. The Lifeline currently automatically routes calls by area code to the nearest crisis center based on the area code of the caller’s phone number. Call routing and geolocation are related location issues but involve different technical, legal, privacy, and cost considerations. As part of the 2020 Designation Act, the Federal Communications Commission submitted a report (PDF | 448 KB) examining the feasibility and cost of including an automatic dispatchable location that would be conveyed with a 988 call. Within that report, the FCC recommended that Congress require that a multi-stakeholder group be convened to further examine the key issues and collaborate on potential next steps. The FCC held a 988 Geolocation Forum in May 2022 and the agency is actively analyzing the information gathered during that forum, including whether potential routing improvements could help callers to 988 connect to the regional call centers where they are located without sharing specific geolocation information.

Currently, calls to 988 are automatically routed to the closest 988 Lifeline crisis center based on the area code of the phone being used. Because people commonly keep their same mobile phone numbers even when they’ve moved to other cities (or perhaps they call 988 when they are traveling), this means that a caller can be routed to a crisis center that is not in their same area. If the person wants to be connected to additional local services or requires emergency service, they may need to disclose their actual location to the 988 Lifeline crisis counselor. In some instances, when there is serious risk to life and a person poses an immediate danger to themselves or others, a crisis counselor is required to use 911 to help reach a caller even without their permission (this occurs in fewer than 1 % of calls to the 988 Lifeline).

In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the FCC ordered all 988 calls to be directed to the Lifeline telephone infrastructure. The Lifeline is made up of about 200 local crisis centers across the country, which are equipped to provide 24/7 call, chat, and text services. Across many evaluations, the Lifeline has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing suicidality, and provides a robust foundation upon which to build 988.

Although we have made significant progress in improving Lifeline response rates, scaling the size of the network and building the Lifeline workforce, there is more work to be done. For years, this network has been massively underfunded and under-resourced.

The federal government is responding to these resource challenges with unprecedented levels of funding – representing an 18-fold increase this year from the previous year – and has mounted an all-of-government approach to partner with state and local leaders to improve system capacity and performance and ultimately improve the health of our nation.

However, the federal government cannot do this work alone. Additional state and local investment is needed to further boost the response rates and staffing capacity of call centers facing the greatest demands.

The Lifeline currently requires that all network centers adhere to specific standards regarding Suicide Risk Assessment and Imminent Risk interventions —however, each crisis center also develops their own specific training to meet organizational needs. The Lifeline Core Clinical Training, currently under development, will be a self-paced online training that will cover essential skills for crisis counselors who answer calls/chats/texts within the Lifeline network. Additional training is being developed to address the specific needs of populations at higher risk of suicide.

The Lifeline greeting states that calls may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance purposes. Additionally, crisis centers in the Lifeline network may independently use call recordings for training purposes, dependent on the best practices of the center.

It’s also important to note that people contacting 988 are not required to provide any personal data to receive services. SAMHSA recognizes the importance and the expectation of privacy when a person contacts 988. The network system has several safeguards to address concerns about privacy.

No. Many states and localities operate a significant number of crisis centers separately from the Lifeline network.

Veterans, Service Members, and their families call 988 and press option 1. To learn more, please visit https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/about/what-is-988. This process is the same as it has been in the past for Veterans; however it’s now simpler with the shortened 988 number.

Unfortunately, the Lifeline has been historically unfunded and under resourced since it was stood up in 2005. While we have come a long way in recent years and dedicated an unprecedented amount of resources to towards strengthening crisis care in the U.S., it will take time for 988 and the broader crisis response system being built to grow and evolve. One of the most urgent needs involves staffing at crisis centers, and we encourage anyone interested in serving in these critical positions to visit the 988 jobs web page.

July 16, 2022, is a date set by the FCC by which all phone service providers must direct all 988 calls and chats to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. July 16 is the start of a transition, not the end, and there is still a lot of work to be done. The Biden Harris Administration has made significant strides in strengthening and expanding the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and we expect the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline will continue to grow and evolve in the coming months and years. We must have our eye on sustainable, long-term change – let us remember, it has taken over 5 decades for 911 and emergency medical services to grow and expand in our country. With 988, we’re poised for a much faster transformation.

Last Updated: 03/06/2023

How do you know you're taking life too seriously

1. You never have time for family and friends

When your loved ones need you, are you always available? Are you in touch? What would they answer to this question?

Perhaps you are one of those parents who leave for work early in the morning and return late after midnight - solely for the sake of "so that the children have all the best. " Yes, such people really often work in important and responsible work, but the trouble is that they are never there when their children need them. Even if they have highly qualified nannies or loving grandmothers.

Or maybe you are that friend with whom it is impossible to talk even for five minutes, looking eye to eye - during this time you will definitely be distracted by the phone: “this is at work”, “I'm in a second”.

If you can't find time to reflect on your life, talk heart to heart with friends, spend an evening with your family, you may be taking things too seriously.

2. You do not give yourself the right to make mistakes

Do you think that you should always strive for the ideal? That you can’t get out of the schedule, and even more so “hit your face in the dirt”? And at the same time you are not a heart surgeon, not a pilot or another person whose actions depend on other people's lives? Most likely, you are a perfectionist, and such people find it difficult to enjoy life.

3. You cannot forgive others for their shortcomings

Perhaps you are the type of person who lashes out at subordinates or literally boils over when colleagues make a mistake. It may be different: you are an unrestrained parent who is able to “pour” a child for a low grade or bad behavior.

Do you really think that only those around you are to blame for everything? Of course, they could play a role in what is happening, but what if the problem is that your bar is too high? Maybe it's time to take a deep breath and try to "let go" of the situation - the one that caused your anger, and those that will follow it more than once?

4. You don't have a very good sense of humor

Do you sometimes not fully understand what others are laughing at? Do the interlocutors at least sometimes have to explain to you what the meaning of the joke is, to decipher the irony? Do you find all the jokes hurtful, especially when they are about you?

Perhaps again, the point is that you are too serious. But, as the famous movie character said, “a smart face is not yet a sign of intelligence. All the stupid things on Earth are done with this facial expression.

5. You don't know how to enjoy little things

Do you notice what is happening around you: weather changes, a beautiful sunset, dew; people, small signs of attention on their part; the smile of a passer-by? Perhaps you are so focused on the “big goal” that the tiny steps that bring you closer to it do not seem worthy of joy to you?

Life does not consist of only global goals and achievements. Life is what happens to us here and now: with whom we woke up in the morning, what we ate for breakfast, what was the taste of our morning coffee, how our day went, what thoughts and feelings aroused in us the events of which it consisted.

Think about it, is it time to reconsider your attitude to life? Just please don't take this task too seriously.

"Don't take life too seriously"

Do you agree? I - yes. I try not to bother, I just live. Although, sometimes it is interesting to think about what happened.
Of course, the loss of loved ones hurt, but I consoled myself with the fact that they are now better than us, because there are no problems and no grief. Although, who knows...
I'm not afraid of death and I don't think about it, because (see quote).

When I find out that someone voluntarily passed away, I regret that this person did not have a real friend nearby...

  • Hope

    An example can only be that which has been tested for thousands of years, verified by experience, as they say, "by their fruits you will know them." Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the pit? Although read, search, explore, this is not bad either. Our life is a preparation for eternity. You need to live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to die, do you understand? And not to vegetate. Such an attitude to life, as in that quote, is very depressing and more like either a screen of self-deception of our hero, behind which it is convenient to hide from the blows of fate, pain and grief, the reality of death, or negligence and depreciation of this gift, because it is easier this way " live" . Maybe I’ll deviate from the topic, but I’ll say, based on the works of D.A. Avdeev, / read, if you’re interested, an authoritative and well-known person not only in Russia / that the tragedy of modern psychotherapy is that it indulges sin and passions that sit deep in the soul human, various schemes and mechanical techniques, hypnosis and suggestions seeks to raise his self-esteem, get out of the tangle of problems, etc. All this works only for a while, because it is artificial, and therefore not true, invading the soul, they cripple it. There is a lot of good literature, V. Solovyov for example.

    • olga

      This statement about the "tragedy of modern psychotherapy" seems to me somewhat one-sided. Or is it a prejudice. I turned to a psychotherapist, for a long time, in a difficult situation for myself, so I do not write unfounded. It helped me a lot.

  • Hope

    Vladimir Sergeevich Solovyov, Russian religious thinker, mystic, poet. I meant it. Of course, what anyone likes and tastes.

    • Nina Ivanovna

      "One should live in such a way that one would not be ashamed to die, understand?"

      I don't understand. Death is inevitable and natural. And what is natural, as you know, is not shameful ...
      Of course, one must live with dignity. But why, if a person is calm about the inevitable and lives, rejoicing in simple things, then he "vegetates"?...
      Solovyov is useful to read, I agree with this, it is also useful to think about the eternal, but one must live here and now. And it’s good if you can perceive reality positively. By the way, psychology teaches this. Psychotherapy treats those who are unable to cope with problems and are already mentally unhealthy. Psychology, on the contrary, helps healthy people find a way for themselves to survive in this complex world and not get sick. Unlike D.A. Avdeev, I believe that, without my consent and desire, no one can invade my soul. Why he was invaded by "various schemes and techniques, hypnosis ..." is unclear.

      • Nina Ivanovna

        I looked on the Internet about D.A. Avdeev. What he does is commendable. because he really helps people. God help him.
        But if you, Nadezhda, correctly quoted him, then it turns out some kind of not criticism, but blasphemy.
        There are many psychiatrists and psychotherapists, they are different, like all people, and many of them also really help people. What's wrong with a person with low self-esteem starting to respect himself? If there is anything. A sense of self-respect leads to self-improvement In a good cause, all methods are good.

  • Nina Ivanovna

    I looked on the Internet about D.A. Avdeev. What he does for people is commendable. God help him. But one should not vilify modern psychotherapy, people work there, many people, they are all different, and many of them, like Avdeev himself, really help people. There is nothing wrong with the fact that a person with low self-esteem will begin to respect himself. When there is something for it, why not start respecting. For a good cause, all methods will fit.

  • olga

    "Don't take life too seriously..."

    It depends on who finds what meaning in these words.

  • Hope

    I can support Olga's opinion. You had a good doctor. For the "Oath" of Hippocrates for any doctor always remains relevant.

  • Roman

    You can just get out of this life alive. . And even more alive than now. And the personality does not die with the loss of the physical shell, which means that you will have to answer for everything, and first of all, to yourself. Not to take life seriously would mean not to take seriously the Creator, His manifestation in everything that concerns the earthly world, fragile, but so important at this stage of the development of the soul. A frivolous attitude is disrespectful in a sense. And disrespect for life is disrespect for the chance given to us to become who we really are. Such an approach leads to unpleasant consequences that concern not only the body, but also the soul (which is much more important) and also entails mental disorders, illness, depression ... When we take something lightly, we lose control over it. Losing control over life is like closing your eyes and letting go of the steering wheel of the car you are racing in. Why don't you do it now? After all, life is not serious for you, why waste precious time on it . ..

  • Nina Ivanovna

    Roman, you missed the word "too" in the quote. In everything, the golden mean is good. No need to go to extremes. For example, in a difficult life situation, the ability to relate to some things with humor helped me. I didn’t lose control over myself, on the contrary, when some relaxation came and the tension subsided, I began to think better. Try it, you should like it, otherwise your words somehow became creepy.

    • Roman

      Dear Nina, why do you advise me to add some humor to "relax"? Am I complaining about something? I don’t have any “difficult situation” and I feel quite calm and comfortable ... And the fact that you became “creepy” from my words is, on the contrary, very good and justified, because most people underestimate the importance of this life/her laws, the importance of constant work on oneself ... But what can I say, if people do not even realize the meaning of their existence, they do not even know why they are here and for what. And most importantly, they don't want to know anything about it. And you can't get away with simple humor, Nina. Just because something helps you doesn't mean it will help others. In this life, everything is much tougher than people want to think... And it’s better to be more careful here/now than to suffer later, in another world where you can no longer hide anything, you can’t lie, where the brain will no longer cover and justify you.

  • Nina Ivanovna

    Dear Roman, you are mistaken if you think that I call for a frivolous attitude to life. I don't call for anything at all. This site, in my opinion, is organized so that people can share their experience and benefit from the experience of others. People are all different, that's why they express opposite opinions. It is important not to instill, we have always had enough edifications in our lives. I prefer the form of communication in the form of a casual conversation. Why scare when it's so scary from such a life. Being serious is useful and even necessary, but if you do not relieve stress from time to time, you can undermine your health. Do not agree? You have the right.
    And maybe someone will agree. I wish everyone to live like you, Roman, calmly and comfortably. Thank you for your attention.

  • olga

    life, of course, is characterized by tragicomism. As an example, I would cite the books of S. Dovlatov.
    I would take the quote very seriously, especially if parents would begin to present such an attitude to their children, because. I believe that it can lead a child, who is just learning life from his own experience, to ignore his own feelings, insensitive or even indifferent attitude towards others, a superficial view of life.

  • olga

    children adopt a model of behavior from the family, then an explanation of this quote is necessary. But it's obvious.

    • Nina Ivanovna

      olga, this expression is not the meaning of life, you just need to let go of problems sometimes, take a break and hit the road again... I read a poem the other day, which ends with the words: "Love your striped life." I paid attention because it is consonant with my mood.
      And children up to a certain age must be very carefully presented with any aspects of life, because children understand everything literally (some adults, by the way, too), and in the absence of life experience they can learn this! Therefore, separate books are written for children, performances are staged especially for them, they compose music and songs, taking into account the fact that their fragile souls are very vulnerable. Pedagogy is a great science, every adult, if he has access to a child, must know its basic laws. Parents come first. Adult family members should not forget for a minute that children, like a sponge, absorb what surrounds them. And it doesn't matter what parents tell their children about morality, what matters is how they act. "A child learns what he sees in his home..."

      • Nina Ivanovna

        P.S. I decided to post the poem I spoke about above, it's a pity that the author is not named, but the poems, in my opinion, are sensible.

        Do not cling to the past,
        Don't live offended,
        Remember the good
        And don't envy your friends.
        Everything that is sent to you by heaven
        Take it for granted
        Everything that is done is for the better,
        No matter how difficult.
        Do not grumble at fate,
        Be happy every moment,
        And don't judge others
        For their frequent weaknesses.
        Fight for your loved ones
        God-given powers,
        Do not skimp on words,
        Be gentle with the cute ones.
        How easy it is to live joyfully!
        Admire the sunsets,
        And fall in love with all your passion
        In the life of your striped. ..

  • Hope What Roman writes about coincides with Christian knowledge of things and understanding of the question of the meaning of life and death. What is so stressful and scary? We are like those small senseless babies (spiritual) to whom everything is new. Everything that is not known scares, this is normal. You can still remain children even after stepping over the seventh decade. The novel writes everything correctly, I won’t answer for it, but there is peace and comfort here, not material, but spiritual, if you like, spiritual, to which any normal person should strive. Bishop Theophan said so: "spirituality is the norm of human life." It is in the unity and balance of all spheres of human nature (spirit, soul and body) that, in his opinion, "the true health of the individual" is rooted. I will not develop this topic, because. talking about this with people who are not familiar with such concepts and the Christian worldview is like talking in a foreign language. After all, if God is life, then death reigning in this world is a consequence of the alienation of the world from God, i.e. love / in compassion, mercy .. / everything that is cut off from God, that is looking for a life separate from him, is already dying here, looking for "their own ways" human. Concentration on oneself takes a person away from God and from the world; it is, as it were, split off from the common trunk of the universe and turns into shavings, curled around an empty place. Why should we complain about the fears of life? What horrors of concentration camps and Solovki our grandfathers and great-grandfathers went through. How many smart people, intellectuals and priests were ruined. There were those who not only did not lose their minds and did not go crazy there, but thanks to their worldview and strong faith, they supported others, bringing the light of love that they lived and survived. One of them is Father John Krestyankin, in his wonderful letters and books.

    • Nina Ivanovna

      Hope, I agree with you, or rather with Bishop Feofan, about spirituality and unity of spirit, soul and body. I am a believer, but without fanaticism. I try to live according to the commandments of the Lord. But fanaticism in any manifestation disgusts me, the golden mean is good in everything. God loves everyone without exception, and fanatics only those who agree with them on everything. I don’t want to somehow be a puppet in anyone’s hands, I want to think and make informed decisions myself.

  • Ekaterina

    "Being serious is useful and even necessary, but if you don't relieve tension from time to time, you can undermine your health."

    I must admit that Nina Ivanovna was right.
    She herself once perceived all the problems and stresses in life very painfully and "twisted". Inside I had a "boiling cauldron".

    After my nerves and worries significantly undermined my health, that I had to restore it for several years with incredible efforts, the habit of being nervous about every occasion disappeared forever.

    Now I live like a "frozen mammoth", but this does not mean that I am not serious about life, people and the Creator.

    And even the death of loved ones, I tried to endure calmly, without hysterics. Because as soon as I started to worry and indulge in memories, I felt how everything was constricting in my chest (and all kinds of disorders and stresses are problems with the heart and thyroid gland and stomach, etc.). And lost health creates problems not only for ourselves, but also for our dear loved ones.

    This is the value of the phrase "do not take life's hardships and problems too seriously, know how to relax," but this does not mean that you need to spit on everyone and everything.
    As they say: "if you can change something - change it, if you can't - put up with it, and you shouldn't try to" jump above your head ".