With the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why" being so popular right now, it is bringing to light topics that are important and need to be talked about. The topic of suicide is a very real situation and needs to be seen as such. If you are self-harming or having suicidal thoughts, you need to see that your life is worth living. You need to stick out through pain and overcome these obstacles.
Here are 13 of the many reasons why suicide is never the answer:
1. Death will not relieve the pain.
Suicide does not get rid of the pain, it only passes the pain on to someone else. Death in this way not only just transfers the pain, but it creates a new pain: a nagging regret on those around you, those who love you. Your pain can and will subside if you hold on to life. Continue trying, and it will be worth it. Suicide will not relieve you from your suffering. Choosing to live and finding the courage to continue through your toughest moments will. You have to reach out and make tomorrow better than today.
2. Suicide is final.
People often say that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem and this statement is very accurate. Once you take your life, that’s it. It is over. You will never get a second chance at living. You may think that that is what you want, but you aren’t. Keep holding on, and one day you will be glad you did.
3. It will get better.
You need to try to focus on the positive things in life because even when you think there aren’t any, there are. Always remember, even the darkest hour only has 60 minutes in it. It’s easy to look down, but change your perspective and look up. See all of the possibility the world has for you and embrace life.
4. You will miss so much.
There are so many beautiful moments waiting for you in the future. There are books you haven’t read, flowers you haven’t smelled, music you haven’t heard, people you’ve never met. You’ll miss seeing the sunrise each morning and counting the stars at night. You’ll never get to see the ones you love accomplish their goals and you’ll never accomplish yours if you succumb to your pain. The world has so much to offer you, so don’t waste those opportunities.
5. The world needs you.
Nothing would be the same without you. What if you have the cure for cancer? What if you could find life on other planets? What if you could change the world? You never will know your true potential if you aren’t there to reach it. Push yourself to be the successful person you can be. I need you, your friends and family need you, the world needs you.
6. Nobody can ever replace you.
You are the only person who smiles the way you do. Only your eyes shine the way they do. You are the only one who looks like you, acts like you, has the potential that you do. Nothing will fill the void in the hearts of your loved ones if you take your own life.
7. You are bigger than your problems.
The problem that your problems are too big, but it’s that you see yourself as small. But you are not. You are greater than any problem that may arise. You have the strength to continue, so you just need to find it.
8. People do love you.
In a world of 7.5 billion people, someone does love you. Many people love you. There are people in this world hoping to meet someone like you. You may complete somebody else, but you’ll never know if you give up before you find that person. There are so many people you have yet to meet, and you may have an amazing spouse and family in the future. There are so many people who care about your existence, and it would break their hearts if you gave that up.
9. You shouldn’t end your story early.
Do you only read half of a great book? Do you only listen to a quarter of your favorite song? Do you only eat one slice of pizza? No, you don’t. You need to stick through the tough times and push through. Your story may have ups and downs, but the highs can always be higher than the lows. Don’t end the story on a negative note. Fight to finish your story and write it to the best of your ability.
10. You are somebody’s role model.
Somebody looks up to you, whether you realize it or not. You may not know them or talk to them, but you may inspire them. They might admire your smile, your sense of humor, your kindness, your strength. Even if you don’t notice, there are people who look forward to seeing you every day. You may be their reason for trying; how would you feel if you gave up, so they did too?
11. One day your smile will be real.
You might have to smile through the pain, but one day you won’t even think about the pain you are feeling right now. In the future, you will laugh and smile endlessly. A time will come when you are at ease once again and you will be so thankful that you didn’t end things when you believed that was what you wanted. This battle will make you come out stronger. Carry on because you will get better and your smile will prove it.
12. You deserve to heal your pain.
You aren’t always going to have the pain you do now. If you give up, you never gave it the chance to get better. You are worth so much more than you realize, and you can overcome your suffering. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel; it may be a long and troublesome tunnel, but it will end and there is light. It takes a little bit of pain to get a lot of happiness. Your pain will heal if you don’t give up and sum up the courage to get the help you need.
13. Your thoughts about yourself aren’t true.
The more you tell yourself that you aren’t worth it, the more you will believe it. These beliefs will become embedded inside of you, and they can be difficult to get rid of. You can shake them, though. The beauty of the situation is that your negative thoughts aren’t true. Just because we think it doesn’t mean it’s true. They are not a part of you, so don’t make it feel that way. Challenge your thoughts. Tell yourself that you are more than your thoughts. You are important. You are great. You are strong. You are you and that is the best thing you can be.
If you ever need help or are thinking about suicide call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for confidential help. There is always someone who will listen. I will listen because I care about you. I am fighting my demons; I am winning, and you can be too. Reach out for the help you need.
