September 5th kicked off this year's National Suicide Prevention Week, if you're following along with the To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) campaign. This campaign is creating awareness, providing resources for and information on suicide prevention, and inspiring people around the world to tell their stories...all leading up to the bigger picture: World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, 2016.
When discussing the subject of World Suicide Prevention Day and it's purpose, it is often accompanied by a heavy heart. The fact of the matter is that it's hard to talk about things like self-harm, depression, and suicide. They are unfortunate realities that people face every day head on, directly or indirectly. But that is why TWLOHA's campaign leading up to this day is so important. They are opening up the conversation to so much more than sadness, regret, and pain... they are opening up the conversation to how you can help yourself and others, success stories, and creating a common ground among everyone who has lived through these challenges. We should not be hesitant to recognize this campaign, talk about it, and even participate in it.
TWLOHA's message is that "Hope is real. Help is Real. Your story is important." and they continue to build on this platform every year with their National Suicide Prevention Week campaigns. Last year's campaign slogan was "You'll see me tomorrow because..." and this year's slogan is "I kept living because...". The idea behind this is that people will tell their stories on social media by completing the slogan sentence. Thus opening up the conversation, the common ground, and the chance to inspire others who may be facing similar challenges. Because avoiding the conversation, does not make these problems go away. For example, I participated in last year's campaign by sharing this photo and part of my story on my social media:
And you can participate too by going onto the To Write Love On Her Arm's website and learn more about the resources out there, asking the hard questions, and how you can spread awareness. Every day, they release a new topic discussion or resource that you can find on their home page. You can even print out your own official sheet with this year's "I kept living because" slogan on it to complete the sentence and share your story or just to let others know you are there for them.
As someone who struggled with depression, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts, I can honestly say that this organization is one that I hold near and dear to my heart, and one that helped me overcome my struggles. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts, or know someone who is, I encourage you to try learning more about this organization, their campaign, and even try to participate in it. It really can help you think of reasons to live instead of reasons to give up.
To Write Love On Her Arms exposes the positive side to talking about suicide. Suicide is not an easy subject, but we can make it an easier one by raising awareness and building people up to their success stories.
