Can meditation help prevent suicide?

This post is a small deviation from the main theme of this blog, which is about awakening to deeper insights into human possibility. This blog post is more to do with the potential of meditation to heal the mind. I write from both personal experience and also knowledge of the research showing that meditation is widely relevant and helpful.

We know, for example, that meditation can play an important role in preventing suicide by offering individuals a powerful tool to understand and manage their thoughts and emotions. One of the fundamental principles of meditation is cultivating mindfulness, which involves observing one's thoughts and emotions without judgment. This practice helps individuals develop a deeper understanding that thoughts are transient and not necessarily true reflections of reality. By learning to detach from negative thoughts and observe them from a place of non-attachment, we can gain a more helpful perspective and recognize that these thoughts are not definitive or all-encompassing. This awareness can provide a sense of relief and help people realize that their thoughts do not define their worth or their potential. By regularly practicing meditation, individuals can enhance their emotional resilience, develop a more positive outlook, and reduce the risk of suicidal thoughts. 

In addition, meditation facilitates a greater understanding of the impermanent nature of thoughts and emotions. It enables individuals to cultivate a sense of equanimity, recognizing that both positive and negative thoughts come and go. This understanding can help individuals detach from negative thought patterns that may contribute to feelings of hopelessness and despair. 

Meditation can also enhance self-awareness, allowing individuals to identify and challenge distorted or negative thinking patterns that may lead to suicidal thoughts. By developing a compassionate and non-judgmental attitude towards our thoughts, we can gain a greater sense of control over our mental well-being and reduce the risk of suicide. 

I have added citations of research articles that support these points at the end of this post.

At the top of this blog I mentioned having personal experience of this subject. By that I didn’t just mean publishing research, teaching, and being one of the founders of a suicide prevention organisation. My mother died by suicide and I also spent a week in hospital after a suicide attempt some decades ago, and was intermittently troubled by suicidal thoughts throughout my life until about 10 years ago, at the time of writing in 2023. I have never been troubled since then and the reason is because I became very consistent in meditating every day. I found it to be very helpful in the ways I describe above. I should add though that meditation won’t help everyone who is troubled by suicidal thoughts and ideas so I have added some support organisations below that can either help you or point you in the direction of someone who can help.

Sources of Support

In the UK

Samaritans is available round the clock, every day. They provide a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them. Call them on 116 123 (free in UK) 1850 60 90 90 (ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org It’s also possible to write to them and they have an app.

In Australia

Lifeline – A national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. We exist so that no person in Australia has to face their darkest moments alone: https://www.lifeline.org.au

13 11 14 (24-hour telephone counselling line).

In the USA

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline https://988lifeline.org  We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Suicide hotlines and prevention resources around the world

Anyone experiencing persistent suicidal thoughts should reach out to a suicide hotline or local emergency number in their own country. The following two sites are very helpful for locating such resources:

https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/ 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide

Bibliography

Beaton, S. & Forster, P. (2012). Insights into men’s suicide. InPsych 34(4), 16-17

Buitron, V., Hill, R.M., & Pettit, J.W. (2016). Mindfulness moderates the association between perceived burdensomeness and suicide ideation in adults with elevated depressive symptoms. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. DOI: 10.1111/sltb.12314 

De Aguiar, K.R., Bilhalva, J.B., Cabelleira, M.D., Guimarães, G.O., Madureira, T.M., Agako, A., et al. (2022). The impact of mindfulness on suicidal behavior: a systematic review. Trends in Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, 44. http://dx.doi.org/10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0316 

Ran Wu, Shi-Yang Zhong, Guang-Hai Wang, Meng-Yang Wu, Jin-FangXu, Hong Zhu, Lin-Lin Liu, Wen-Jun Su, Zhi-Yong Cao & Chun-Lei Jiang (2021). The effect of brief mindfulness meditation on suicidal ideation, stress and sleep quality. Archives of Suicide Research. DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2021.1982800

Williams, M., Teasdale, J., Segal, Z., & Kabat-Zinn, J. (2007). The mindful way through depression: Freeing yourself from chronic unhappiness. New York, NY: Guilford. 

Keywords

suicide prevention, meditation, mental health, mind, samaritans, lifeline,