It could be said that suicide means that a person has given up hope…of things getting better, of problems going away. In Episode 58: Losing Two Brothers to Suicide, Part II, our guest, Dennis Gillan, described the despair he felt after losing his two brothers to suicide and how he found hope again. In this blog we want to acquaint you with a tool we really like for times like these. It’s called a Hope Box or if you prefer a digital version you can download a Virtual Hope Box. (Available for apple or droids). It was designed to help those who are feeling depressed and suicidal, but, at times, all of us could use a little hope booster.
What is a Hope Box?
A hope box is a simple but effective way of reminding people (including ourselves!) of our reasons to live. Originally, it was conceptualized as a literal box (e.g., a shoebox). Mental health clinicians had their clients with thoughts of suicide fill the box with items such as photographs and mementos of who and what are important to them. This might include pictures of family members and friends, small items that are reminders of important moments, and/or trinkets with symbolic meaning. Some people add Bible verses or other things of spiritual significance, quotes from books, jewelry, items from nature, pet collars, toys, or music. Basically, a person can include anything that is a reminder of what is important to them, who would miss them, and who and what they will miss if they are gone. When a person begins to feel that life is no longer worth living, they are supposed to pull out the “Hope Box” and go through its contents, reminding themselves of what is important to them. The box should be stored in a special but accessible place, similar to where you would keep a diary.
Virtual Hope Boxes
More recently “virtual hope boxes” have been developed. A smartphone app has replaced the shoebox, but the concept remains the same. The contents of the virtual hope box are reminders of reasons to live. The app allows you to store pictures and information about why you would want to go on living. You can include photos of friends and family, soundbites and videos of special moments, as well as music, games, and relaxation exercises. The app also reminds you of helpline numbers. With the app you always have your hope box with you.
Research on Hope Boxes
You might be surprised to learn that the VA has pioneered the use of virtual hope boxes to address the problem of veteran suicides. Research by the VA found that veterans who had been thinking of harming themselves liked the app, found it easy to set up, and recommended it to their peers. Research also showed that one major reason for the effectiveness of the virtual hope box was that it increased the person’s sense of self efficacy–a sense that they could manage their own problems.
In Conclusion…
Hope boxes, whether virtual or actual, are a proven tool to reduce suicide risk. If you or a loved one have had suicidal thoughts, we recommend creating one. The virtual hope box app is available for free at either the Apple store or Google Play store. If you want to go “old school”, find an old shoebox or something similar and start placing items inside that are important reminders of your reasons to live.