Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years; they're all celebratory holidays meant to call people closer to one another. These holidays are meant to be enjoyable and cherished. But for a lot of people, these holidays bear a burden on their hearts. For many, these holidays are constant reminders of the loss of a loved one or for others, the sinking feeling of isolation and depression.
Depression is a serious mood disorder categorized by feelings of hopelessness, sadness lasting longer than 2 weeks, change in appetite, loss of interest and thoughts of death. It knows no age, gender, religion or sexuality.
2 out of 3 people with a mental illness never seek help. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in adolescents, following closely behind automobile accidents. These statistics are frightening and very, very real.
Depression is a disease that we tend to blame the individual for. When people hear that someone died from a heart attack, they're genuinely understanding and upset. However, when people hear that someone died by suicide, they blame the individual. It's their own fault for taking their life. But it's not. Think about the amount of emotional pain someone would have had to be suffering to do such a thing.
Kevin Hines, the author of Cracked Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt, says in a BuzzFeed video that, "Suicide, mental illness and addiction are the only diseases that we blame the person for perpetually. But people die from suicide just like they die from any other organ diseased."
And to those mourning the loss of a loved one to suicide this year; know you're not alone. Understand that your loved one never meant to hurt you, but rather that they were suffering a great amount, mentally and emotionally. The brain is extremely powerful and complex and sometimes it can become ridden with disease.
Depression may not be curable, however, it's very treatable. Make it a point to reach out to loved ones. Or if you're suffering, don't be afraid to ask for help. We live in a fast paced society and tend to not take a step back until it's too late.
Jamie Tworkowski, the founder of To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit organization geared towards helping those suffering from mental illness, addiction, self injury and suicide, wrote:
"If you feel too much, there’s still a place for you here. If you feel too much, don’t go. If this world is too painful, stop and rest.It’s okay to stop and rest. If you need a break, it’s okay to say you need a break. This life – it’s not a contest, not a race, not a performance, not a thing that you win. It’s okay to slow down. You are here for more than grades, more than a job, more than a promotion, more than keeping up, more than getting by. This life is not about status or opinion or appearance. You don’t have to fake it. You do not have to fake it. Other people feel this way too. If your heart is broken, it’s okay to say your heart is broken. If you feel stuck, it’s okay to say you feel stuck. If you can’t let go, it’s okay to say you can’t let go. You are not alone in these places. Other people feel how you feel. You are more than just your pain. You are more than wounds, more than drugs, more than death and silence. There is still some time to be surprised. There is still some time to ask for help. There is still some time to start again. There is still some time for love to find you.It’s not too late. You’re not alone. It’s okay – whatever you need and however long it takes – it’s okay. It’s okay. If you feel too much, there’s still a place for you here. If you feel too much, don’t go. There is still some time."
There is still some time. Life is precious. Be kind, always.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Phone Number 1-800-273-8255
