These are any (and prob'ly all) thoughts related to ending one's own life. For a while there, it was a constant to not just avoid such thoughts, but to rationalize sticking around for another day, to find something ...some sort of peace to keep such thoughts at bay.
These children kept me grounded as I waxed so seriously. Another (metaphorical, perhaps political) turn of phrase would most likely be Contemplating the Abyss, as opposed to the present title, which adapts something from one of my more favorite SF shows (ever).
I offer these children as an example that to quell one's such thoughts is possible, to expose such thoughts, these emotions, as non-unique, that there can be something to keep you going.
I have also found that such contemplation is an addiction all its own (see Various Vice for more details). Looking directly into the Abyss, the Void, that which is Unknown after Life, is more appropriate here than compared to any physical (or physiological or psychological) addiction.