What to do when all is black and life seems not  worth the effort...

If you are depressed to the point where life has lost its meaning, if the idea of ending it all plagues you, you must not hesitate to confide in a relative, a friend or a professional. You can also call a help line. It is important to rally and not see problems as insurmountable. Try to trust that difficult situations can change or that it is possible to see them from another angle. Writing your thoughts can help you pour your heart out and see more clearly what is weighing you down. When we are worried we can make mountains out of molehills and our responses can become disproportionate. Set realistic goals for yourself to avoid disappointment.

We must be able to recognize a difficult situation, be realistic enough to work within the limits it imposes and be kind to ourselves. Keeping physically active lessens the biological impact of depression and can even be a social diversion. When we are unhappy we tend to forget how much we can count on others. Don't forget that a decision to end one's life can always be put aside in favor of another chance at life and its creative potential. We must always remember that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and that no problem is more important than one's life. A new life is possible each day as long as we stay ... alive.

Drawn from the 2002 guide of the Canadian Psychiatric Association -- A Helping Hand to Prevent Suicide
(February 9 to 15 is National Suicide Prevention Week).