Don't need hugs or anything--I have to many good things to be grateful (and I'm not depressed) for but since so many people are suicidal at this forum, my permanent reality is a cautionary tale (this phrase is borrowed from ElsaMars signature and I hope she is OK right now).

I love to walk and some of my best memories involve hiking challenging terrain and conquering it. Hiked for hours by myself from a very young age. Sometimes my H talks about wanting to plan a trip to hike from one side of the Grand Canyon to the other (South to North rim and back). The problem is, that, because of my attempt--I can't carry much weight at all without a lot of pain. No problems walking but it is just impossible for me to carry anything other than a light backpack. My T says "hire a Sherpa". My H is supersweet--he says he'll carry everything. But if only one person can don a pack, I think it really does limit the really long treks (like the one talked about above ) So when you consider ending it, just remember, bad things happen!!

And if your depressed--consider challenging yourself to a good hike this Spring--it worked for that girl in the movie: Wild

[TishaBuv]

They have donkeys that take you to the bottom and to camp down there. You have to plan long in advance for it, but that looks cool.

My idea of hiking the Grand Canyon was staying at their motel location (it was pretty rustic). I pushed my little guy in his stroller and had to prevent him from getting too close to the edge.

We had the most amazing breakfast at El Tovar.

The stars in the night sky were the most full and many I have ever seen.

What a magical place!

It's wonderful you are still here to get to go there. You don't need to carry a heavy pack.

[MickeyCheeky]

I hope whoever feels suicidal right now will be able to get help somehow. You need it and deserve it

[Yours_Truly]

The Grand Canyon would be on my bucket list if I had one. I guess it's about time I make one.

Originally Posted by Yours_Truly

The Grand Canyon would be on my bucket list if I had one. I guess it's about time I make one.

It should. Making a reservation for a couple of nights within the Grand Canyon is a must Grand Canyon National Park Lodges - You're Not Just Close - You're There!
The Grand Canyon has crowds in the summer but the majority do not have reservations at one of the lodges so it is still quiet at sunrise and sunset (and they are magnificent to view) plus I find that wildlife is just more active at dawn and dusk. There is no hunting in this park so it is overrun with elk and it is fun to watch them enjoying the grass that has been cultivated in front of a couple of the lodges (they think it's there for them). Yours Truly--I could definitely explore this place all by myself and its has a positive, healthy atmosphere--just a great park!

"When you think about ending it, just remember bad things happen". <--- this is actually WHY people attempt...because bad things happen, over and over and over. It's a driving force behind attempts, not something that will stop a suicidal person, at least not me. I'm glad you survived, you are not to blame for your disability you are left with as a result of wanting to end your suffering, at least not from my viewpoint (((hugs)))

I hope you can hike the Grand Canyon someday. I'd be fine watching a good documentary about it as I don't have the wellness to enjoy such a thing. Our society is very ableist and assumes you must see something in person to enjoy it. I want to visit Europe, but physically and financially it's not possible so I watch documentaries and television shows which satisfy me. If you can't hike, would you enjoy watching? I know this would not satisfy most people but when you are unwell and unable it could be something for your toolbox.

Thank you for thinking of me. I know you mean well and that is what matters most to me. Your intentions are good. Obviously you have experience with attempts and I'm sorry. Speaking for myself only, the cautionary tale you've told wouldn't help me in crisis but your intentions could have an impact. Reaching out and trying to understand as best you can, could easily assist in saving a life.

I don't have a clue what to say to a suicidal person to make them stop. I wouldn't presume to know. I do have some ideas on what NOT TO SAY and what can make it worse, but this only concretely applies to me. For instance, if you say "think of your family" or "I stay alive for my family" and the person has no family or is estranged or delusional and thinks their family is after them, or is being abused by their family.....you've just put a nail in their coffin perhaps. It's very sensitive and I'm not qualified....even writing here I worry so much. I don't want to say the wrong thing but I DO. Everyone does sometimes. But if our intentions are good, that is what matters. If someone is in crisis and we say nothing to them, that can be deadly too.

Things go very wrong and very bad in life. They also go very right and good. Helping a person in crisis see the good is challenging. I've often thought I might make a good therapist, then I realize how very IMPORTANT and life threatening a bad therapist can be and I cannot assume the responsibility even with 10 years of training behind me. Power to the ones who feel they are qualified and I hope anyone in crisis is lucky enough to connect with a professional who actually is qualified in such matters. Or connect with a caring non judgmental unqualified one could make all the difference. Or find the perfect self help book, forum, pet....whatever might help, I hope the struggling person finds it. I'm glad you found what works for you and keeps you safe. (((Hugs)))

P.S. I hope I don't come across as argumentative, it's not my intention. Just sharing how I see things.

ElsaMars--Not argumentative at all--yes, every suicide attempt is very individual. Sometimes I go through times where I wonder if my posts are discouraging and fear they could be hurtful to the many people at PC without family/bf/gf. I don't like to talk about it here, but I do have my ups and downs with my H--married life is not perfect when you or your partner are mentally ill. Though it can be hard to know what things in our life push us over the edge the most.

I was trying to say that if you are in good health--an attempt could ruin it and chronic pain and disability makes a person more depressed sometimes, so consider that when you attempt you risk adding that problem to your life (which must already be very painful if you are attempting).

I like doing more than watching and feel like I can still do day hikes but not the type of Grand Canyon hike my H wants to do. I'm OK with just day hikes but feel a bit uncomfortable when H talks about this hike, like I'm not able to meet expectations or something. If I accidently carry to many groceries, an hour or two later I'm in pain and it can take a few days to go back to my original lower level of pain.

ElsaMars--I do appreciate your viewpoint on this. I think I was better at speaking about these things in a more empathetic way right after I attempted and not so much now--that is why I don't post quite as much as I used to at this forum (I used to post under a different username). I ocassionally remember how low I was the day I did it (when I am not medicated) but mostly the terrible emotions seem far away/unavailable. That is how bad someone feels when they attempt--so bad that with time we no longer remember if we are not depressed. For many at this forum--their emotional pain feels worse than physical pain. Hugs to all of your who are in so much pain and hugs to you ElsaMars--I know you have been through a very bad time recently and hope you are in less pain.