Everyday Survival Guide

This guide can help you survive the big feelings so they don’t turn into suicidal thoughts.
It can be hard to name big feelings.
Learning more about what you’re feeling, how to recognize your own warning signs when you feel them, and how to manage them when they appear can help so that these feelings don’t turn into suicidal thoughts.
Understanding the warning signs that come with big feelings can help you recognize when you or someone you know may need help. Big feelings look different, and feel different to everyone.
Here are some warning signs to keep in mind:
- Worry a lot
- Restless
- Tired
- Hard time focusing
- Angry
- Annoyed
- Mood swings
- Tense muscles
- Trouble sleeping
- Panic attacks
- Avoid people
- Irrational fears
Whether you need immediate assistance, or resources for a loved one, the Maine Crisis Line is here to listen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is free, confidential and can help you connect with a trained professional in your area.

FEELING OVERWHELMED?
Shrink that Elephant.

FEELING DEPRESSED?
Move that Boulder.

FEELING ANXIOUS?
Silence that Thunder.

Feeling Angry?
Tame that Tiger.

FEELING HOPELESS?
Wrestle that Crocodile.

FEELING PANICKED?
Ride that Bull.
Find Support
Learning more about what you’re feeling, how to recognize your own warning signs when you feel them, and how to manage them when they appear can help so that these feelings don’t turn into suicidal thoughts.
Whether you need immediate assistance, or resources for a loved one, the Maine Crisis Line is here to listen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is free, confidential and can help you connect with a trained professional in your area.
Friends & Family
If you’re worried that someone you love may be experiencing big feelings and are unsure of how to help, the Maine Crisis Line is here to listen and help you find support. Our goal is to reduce the rate of death by suicide in Maine and provide resources so that anyone who is experiencing big feelings knows that they are not alone.
We understand that it can be hard to know how to best support your loved one when you’re worried about them, so we have people standing by 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide free, confidential help to connect you to a trained professional in your area.
We’re here to help. Let us listen.
