Suicide Is NOT The Answer

My heart is broken right now as I type this message.  All I can think about is a young man I once knew has committed suicide.  His friends and family are upset and wish they had known he was feeling suicidal.

In the end, suicide was only a behavior, the coping mechanism, the choice.

Please, do not misunderstand what I am about to say.  The problem was the depression he felt that led him to believe that suicide was the only choice.  Humans, as a whole, are built for survival.  Instinct and reflex help keep us alive.  I do not know of any animals that knowingly commit suicide, other than humans.

The statistics given by the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) show that suicide is one of the top 3 causes of death for children through 34 year old’s.   The suicide rates have been steadily climbing since 1999, and are highest for 18 to 25 year old’s.  What are we missing?  Why are people believing that suicide is the best option for stopping the pain?

To understand how/why suicide is an option, you have to look at what gets a person to that point.

That is an extreme mindset of hopelessness and helplessness.  To add to the depression, most people do not feel attacked on a single front, but multiple.  It does not have to be a single person, married people get depressed too.  It isn’t only those without jobs.  Some people feel trapped in their job and are worn out.  Work, personal, spiritual, social and financial are all areas that contribute.  There are more areas, but I hope you get the point.  For some people, it takes 4 or 5 areas to make them feel that hopeless.  Others may feel cornered with only 1 or 2 going poorly.

My plea is twofold.  First, I want those that feel depressed to know

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

You have support.  You have people that love you and care about you.  Not only that, but a lot of people have felt how you are currently feeling.  To be honest, I have been depressed.  I have had moods where it took everything I had to get out of the house and go to work.

The second comment is for everyone.  If you know someone that is going through any type of stress or change,  call them.  Hang out with them.  Check on them from time to time and let them know you are there.  They don’t have to be “Depressed”.  Staying connected can help them avoid the depressed thoughts in the first place.  You do not have to have to do anything specific to help, just “be there” and offer your time and attention.

If you are going through some type of life change, job change, or anything that is affecting you negatively and need/want to talk to someone, call us.  We’re here to help.

If you know someone that fits that description, get them talking to SOMEONE.  We don’t have to be the ones to help, but we can.