Similar to what FluffyDinosaur mentioned, we have a lockable safe. There was a period in my past when my medications were locked in it, and my husband unlocked it once per week for me to fill my pill boxes. I do not have the combination. Only my husband and his best friend do. I do still keep my medication tray in the safe, but these past "safe years" the safe has not been locked.

Looking back at my life, I always realize the old AA adage "This, too, shall pass." It's been 100% the case. As long and horrible as an episode might be, it does always pass and days become much better. I then know that it would have been a tragedy if my life was ended because of an extremely rough, but temporary, patch. I think of my youngest nephew, who at 24 years old lost his life because of bipolar depression. That was over three years ago. Now, I'm absolutely certain that he would have recovered from that depression and would be happy that he didn't do what he did. That horror need not have happened for him, my sister, brother-in-law, older nephew and all others that loved him. Today, he could be walking the woods taking photographs of wildlife, his passion.

I've thought about events in my future life that would make me very vulnerable to S. It's hard to, but can be helpful. For example, if my husband passes before me (certainly possible since he's 13 years older) I will absolutely be devastated. He's my most prized treasure. So what would I do? Would I just take myself, too? It need not happen. I would know he wouldn't want that. So I try to imagine a life that would be without him. I force myself to not look at a horrible life, but rather a not so very bad one. What are some things I could do to keep myself feeling valuable to others and myself? I imagine it, so if the time comes that I need to live on, some plan options are in place. Again, good ones. If I can do this as a childless woman with few friends and close relatives, others can, too.