http://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
Think of the people you love most — your parents, your little sister, your best friend. Why do you love them? Maybe it's because they always share their food with you, or don't judge you for crying during every Disney movie, or maybe it's the way they make you feel loved.
Now imagine your life without them.
Imagine they were taken from you too soon, not from natural causes or a freak accident, but by choice. Maybe they felt unloved, unwanted, or unimportant — like it wouldn't matter if they were alive or not. I know it's not a pleasant thing to talk about, but with one death by suicide every 13 minutes in the U.S., suicide prevention is something that we need to talk about. Whether you or someone you love is dealing with the pain of suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone.
This year the organization To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) launched the we'll see you tomorrow campaign for prevention week. The non-profit organization started out as a friend helping a friend who was struggling with depression, self-harm and substance abuse into recovery — but that simple act of love turned into so much more. Today, TWLOHA aids countless people by making information and resources widely available, as well as starting fundraising campaigns that go straight to the treatment and recovery of those that are seeking help.
When you're reading a good book — like Harry Potter for instance — would you read the first couple of chapters of Harry's crappy life in the closet under the stairs and then just stop even though there are hundreds of pages left of the book? I'd hope not — because then you would never find out that Harry's life get's better. Yeah, things get crazy bad when He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named comes back, but Harry finds the strength from the support and love of his friends to keep on going. If you stopped reading the book at the first chapter, you would have never found out Harry found his best friends, a family, and true love. I know your life isn't fiction, but your life is a story, and you're the author — don't end your story early. Choose to keep going and find out what good the next chapter brings.
Image via guestofaguest.com
Even writing this article is hard for me, not only because I was afraid of opening up about my own experiences, but because I have found myself so overwhelmingly grateful. Grateful because I can still hug, laugh, and love the people most important to me that I almost lost to suicide. These aren't just acquaintances of mine. With one in 10 Americans suffering from depression, it's likely you know someone close to you that is suffering. These people are my friends and my family. The people I call first whenever I have good news. The ones that make me laugh till I cry, who have fed me when I was hungry and made me smile when I was sad. They have loved me and made me happy when I didn't love myself. Knowing that they were so unhappy, so lonely, and so desperate for a way to end their pain that they attempted to end their life breaks my heart, and I can't help but be emotional because I know that pain. The hopelessness we feel and the lies we tell ourselves, like, 'You deserve this, you would be better off dead' — it's a kind of darkness I would never wish upon anyone, especially the people who have helped pull me out of that darkness.
Image via TWLOHA
Even with my depression I am grateful, though there have been many times I have broken down alone driving or even in a public restroom because I was so tired of trying to get better. I would ask God, Why me? Can't I just be normal? I've struggled with depression, self-harm, substance abuse and even attempted suicide, but I've realized there is hope that can come from my pain. The hope starts with love. As simple as it sounds, I believe everyone deserves to love and be loved. Love comes in many shapes and forms: a hug, a shoulder to cry on, a call to ask how you're doing and meaning it. It can be as simple as a friendly smile and hello to a stranger or donating to support treatment, but it is all love. It's acts of love like these that remind us that life is worth living. Show others love by offering them help if they need it, and show
If you are struggling and feel like you need to reach out, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is a number you can call 24/7 and talk to a trained counselor (and if you're outside of the United States, find a crisis center near you). There are so many resources out there like SAVE.org, which are packed full of information and resources for victims of suicidal thoughts and their loved ones. If you feel that someone you love may be having suicidal thoughts, read about the warning signs and how you can help your loved one.
I sincerely wish that if you are struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts that this has not only given you resources, but hope. Each and every one of us have the incredible power to save lives, including your own.
