Dear Ann Landers,
ou printed a letter from a reader who said he was desperately unhappy and wanted to kill himself. He had already started to save up pills and was just about to do the deed when he picked up a copy of Reader's Digest. His eyes fell on an article that changed his mind. Lately, I have been having suicidal thoughts and think maybe that article might be helpful. Will you please print it? -Zydo

Dear Zydo,
I've had more than 500 requests for that article, which originally appeared in June 1985.1 know it has saved lives. Here it is: The IIest iif Ann La n he its I 2 1 I Before You Kill Yourself Renee T. Lucero, R.N. You've decided to do it. Life is impossible. Suicide is your way out. Fine-but before you kill yourself, there are some things you should know. I am a psychiatric nurse, and I see the results of suicide-when it works and, more often, when it doesn't. Consider, before you act, these facts: Suicide is usually not successful. You think you know a way to guarantee it? Ask the 2 5-year-old who tried to electrocute himself. He lived. But both his arms are gone. What about jumping? Ask John. He used to be intelligent, with an engaging sense of humor. That was before he leaped from a building. Now he's brain-damaged and will always need care. He staggers and has seizures. He lives in a fog. But worst of all, he knows he used to be normal. What about pills? Ask the 12-year-old with extensive liver damage from an overdose. Have you ever seen anyone die of liver damage? You turn yellow. It's a hard way to go. What about a gun? Ask the 24-year-old who shot himself in the head. Now he drags one leg, has a useless arm and has no vision or hearing on one side. He lived through his "foolproof' suicide. You might, too. Who will clean your blood off the carpet or scrape your brains from the ceiling? Commercial cleaning crews may refuse that job-but some-one has to do it. Who will have to cut you down from where you hanged yourself or identify your bloated body after you've drowned? Your mother? Your wife? Your son? The carefully worded "loving" suicide note is no help. Those who loved you will never completely recover. They'll feel regret and an un-ending pain. Suicide is contagious. Look around at your family. Look closely at the 4-year-old playing with his cars on the rug. Kill yourself tonight, and he may do it 10 years from now. You do have other choices. There are people who can help you through this crisis. Call a hot line. Call a friend. Call your minister or priest. Call a doctor or hospital. Call the police. They will tell you that there's hope. Maybe you'll find it in the mail tomorrow. Or in a phone call this weekend. But what you're seeking could be just a minute, a day or a month away. You say you don't want to be stopped? Still want to do it? Well, then, I may see you in the psychiatric ward later. And we'll work with what-ever you have left. 212 ANN LANDERS