Suicide prevention- Don't Give Up
And I like to start off with a quote by Barack Obama:
“To anyone out there who’s hurting — it’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. It’s a sign of strength.”
Many people get depressed at one point or another throughout life. Whether it’s caused by death of a family member, environmental stress, or mental illness, feelings of depression can become difficult for many people. Unfortunately some people get so depressed as a result of their mental illness or life circumstances, that they consider suicide as an option to escape from their emotional pain.
I had a number of challenging moments, experience and time of life I was and I am able to live well without them 😊 on the other hand - after all these high and low tides in my life I learned or became to the conclusion that the only cure for a bad day is to make a cup of coffee or tea, having a good piece of cake, take a deep breath, and believe and hope that tomorrow is better again. Challenging moments and change is an inevitable part of life. It happens whether we’re ready or not.
Suicide can affect everyone
Each and every suicide is fatal, frightful, shattering ... you name it - as everyone experience it individual - and has a extensive and intensive impact on those around. However, by raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well-informed action, we can on the one hand reduce instances of suicide if it's about committing violence against oneself. I mention this as a suicide caused by neuropsychiatric propensity, borderline personality, schizophrenia, bipolar propensity (I used the word propensity with purpose as I do not like the word disorder in this context - as I see a huge spectrum starting with diseases, to disorders to propensities to 'different ways to see the world and own life) is completely different to a well considered wish to pass away which leads people to the conclusion to as for instance for Medical assistance in dying (MAID). Stigma is vicious and the primary enemy of suicide prevention.
Suicide prevention
Supporting a changed mindset or even helping to work on a different view or even hope through action, through a helping hand, ear - should be a reminder that there is an alternative to suicide and aim to inspire confidence and light in all of us; that our doing, actions or just having time for another person, no matter how big or small, may provide help to those who are struggling.
Preventing suicide is often possible and can be a factor in its prevention. Through action, you can make a difference to someone in their darkest moments – as a member of society, as a child, as a parent, as a friend, as a colleague or as a neighbor. We can all play a role in supporting those experiencing a suicidal crisis or those bereaved by suicide.
Suicidal thoughts are complex. No single approach works for everyone. What we do know is that there are certain factors and life events that may make someone more vulnerable to suicide and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can also be a contributing factor.
People who are suicidal may feel trapped or like a burden to their friends, family and those around them and thus feel like they are alone and have no other options. The COVID-19 Pandemic has contributed to increased feelings of isolation and vulnerability and so many people still feel effects, long-term effects and consequences.
By supporting a changed mindset or even helping to work on a different view or even hope through action, through a helping hand, ear, we can signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there are people around them, caring about them, and there is a perspective and hope and that other care and want to support them.
Finding a sympathetic ear - Having a sympathetic ear for somebody
You can help give someone hope by showing that you care. All of us can play a role, no matter how small. We may never know what we do that makes a difference. We all can reach in and ask somebody. You do not need to tell them what to do or have solutions, but simply making the time and space to listen to someone about their experiences of distress or suicidal thoughts can help. Small talk can save lives and create a sense of connection and hope in somebody who may be struggling.
Encourage understanding
Stigma is a major barrier to help-seeking. Changing the narrative around suicide through the promotion of hope can create a more compassionate society where those in need feel more comfortable in coming forward to seek help. We can all do something to live in a world where suicide is recognized and we can all do something to help prevent it.
Sharing Experience
Is something I most often support enormously - but in the context to suicide I like to phrase Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust “Two souls, alas, are housed within my breast, and each will wrestle for the mastery there.” ... as we talk - or I talk about suicide, the interplay of forces and arguments, and trigger points of sharing experience is or will be a wobbly tightrope walk
The insights and stories of people with a lived experience of suicide can be extremely powerful in helping others understand suicide better and encourage people to reach in to support someone, and for individuals to reach out for help themselves. And once again reminding you on the 'wobbly tightrope walk' - It’s really important that the person sharing their story knows how to do so in a way that is safe for them and for those who hear their story.
Personal stories of an individual’s experiences of significant emotional distress, suicidal thoughts or attempt, and their experiences of recovery can inspire hope in others that they too can move through the period of distress or crisis, and their insights can help others understand what it means to feel suicidal and how they can support others.
Individuals sharing experiences of being bereaved through suicide and how they came to live their ‘new normal’, can help others experiencing suicidal loss make sense of the devastation of suicide and believe they will be able to live through and with the loss.
More than anything, my wish for you is this: That when your awful darkest days come, you will know you’re not alone.
As mentioned and as we all know - life is fragile and we all are struggled in different ways.
I wish you and I hope you know you can be and should be honest.
I hope you know that you can ask for help.
It is absolutely no moment or sign of weakness - it's vici versa - it is a strength to ask for help. It simply means you’re human, we are human, we are a society. Help is real and it is possible.
Don’t give up - find your path and accept the highs and lows. Don’t give up on the people you love. Hope is real. Love is real. It’s all worth fighting for.
And in this context my most favorite song - Peter Gabriel - Don't Give Up
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