"Why do you care so much?"
"Why don't you just mind your own business?"
"Why is this important to you?"
"You have no idea what I am going through."
I could not even begin to tell you how many times I have been asked or told these things. As a person who cares deeply about those around me, I find myself in a constant struggle with saying too much or asking too many questions, but this is simply because I do care and I do understand. I get so involved because I have been there and it wasn't too long ago.
In April of 2015, I attempted suicide. Twice.
A few moths prior to this, I feel into a deep depression and at some point I gave up and I wanted everything to end, but it didn't. I am here now, alive. Living. I am writing this blog about suicide awareness week. I am doing so many things I love. I am loving myself. I am loving others. I am studying abroad in Central America. I am currently sitting in the kitchen of an amazing Costa Rican host family's home. I am blessed with health and constant joy. My sadness did not take over me and I am physically and mentally present on this earth. But hey, guess what, I didn't do it alone. I came out of that rut with the help of so many others and that is why I am writing this. That is why I care so much.
I am spreading this awareness with the hope of helping someone else who is struggling. I have learned that if I allow myself to be vulnerable then others will be vulnerable as well. So hey, here I am opening up my deepest wounds to show that these struggles are not individual. These struggles are so common that someone very close to you, a family member or best friend, could be struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide. I know that when I was in that place in my life all I needed was someone who understood. Eventually, those people became present, but for some, no one shows up. No one offers a hand to get up or a shoulder to cry on. Not everyone has people that are going to rescue them, but you could be that person.
September fifth through September tenth is National Suicide Awareness Week for 2016. While I am assuming that most people did not know about this week, I encourage you to look into it. There are so many organizations and individuals who are simply trying to reach out to those in need, but this definitely is not enough. There's need to be more people aware. More people need to now the signs and signals because suicide IS preventable.
Be there for someone, because being alone in this world sucks.
To Write Love On Her Arms is an organization that helped me a lot when I was recovering. There website is a great place to start learning about to get involved and how to reach out to others.
Click it: https://twloha.com/
"Hope is real. Help is real" -TWLOHA
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
