We Need To Talk About Suicide

We live in a world where we want to ignore the painful and difficult topics.  We live in a world where we don't want to utter those negative words and bad thoughts.  We live in a world where suicide is nothing but a taboo subject.

In some places if you even come close to admitting your suicidal, by law certain professional groups are required to report you.  Then, they put you in a mental ward of a hospital to hopefully get treatment.  The thing is from what I know from ones that this happened too, there is no treatment.  If you consider drugging someone to keep them alive treatment, okay - but I just don't see that as treatment.

Suicide is real.  It happens all too often.  It shocks the survivors and leaves them standing in disbelief.  No one can comprehend what happened.  Everyone feels sad and as if there was something they should have done, seen, or helped intervene with that person.  Suicide sucks.  Suicide is a horrible nightmare.

I know first hand because I've tried too many times.  Fortunately I was never successful and there was always a friend, an angel, or some other event that stopped it.  In those moments, I didn't care about living.  I didn't care about anyone who would be sad if I was gone.  I could not care.   The pain was greater than most will ever know or understand.

Does Society Enable Suicide

This subject is near and dear to my heart.  Not only have I known people who have committed suicide, but I myself have attempted it several times.  Fortunately I've made it this far in my life and made it through those moments, but it hasn't been easy.

As I'm reading about Robin Williams dying from suicide, I'm reminded of this horrible moment that way too many face.  His death puts a spotlight on it in our society, but unfortunately in a few days or weeks, society may well forget what happened.  They may even fault him in some form or another, but sometimes it seems like nothing will change.  It seems like nothing in our society will get done when it comes to suicide.  Does society enable suicide.

How does our society enable suicide?  There are many ways of course and most are oblivious to them.

First and foremost, is that society does not want to talk about suicide.  There is no fostering of a place to go for those that are struggling with this.  Yes, there are some hotlines, but how many people would know where to call if they needed to?  How many people would even think to pick up the phone?  Even with all the outreach, we are still seeing people commit suicide because they felt like they had no place to go and no one to talk to.  (See information for suicide hotline below)

Suicide

Mindy McCready
Ten Thousand Angels

It saddens me to see anyone commit suicide.  I've been in those depths before and I know how tough those moments are.  Where logic nor relationships have much pull - only unconditional love that is administered in very simple ways.

When you're in those depths, you don't resonate with words, but with the energy of those who truly understand the ground you are walking upon.  In those moments, the feeling of lonesomeness, isolation and desperateness feed upon themselves making things much worse than they seem - only in that moment, this awareness is not readily apparent.

I'm thankful I have moved past these rough moments in my own life and for some reason greater than I can see - I am still here.  I know how difficult it is for others and I cry for those who don't make it.  We don't live in a society where they are supported or understood.  Just know, that I'm here for anyone who feels this way because I truly understand what this feels like to contemplate and attempt suicide.

You may also want to read a previous blog post I wrote, The Illusion Of Suicide.  It talks about my thoughts and briefly talks about some of my own experiences.  Please - if you are struggling with this, reach out to someone and if the first person doesn't listen or understand, find another one.  There is hope!

The illusion of Suicide

There are so many people going through extraordinarily difficult moments in life right now.  From the financial crisis and the struggle to find work to the mass murders and angry discourse in our country, hope and brighter days are sometimes hard to find.  When it gets difficult, people who have been struggling for an eternity it seems, almost think the illusion of suicide is the answer.  Deep down, they know it isn't and most people would tell them it isn't so, but in times of despair it can look differently than it does to a mind that is functioning logically.

The illusion of suicide is that it solves all the problems the person has.  They often feel that life is beyond their control and that no matter what happens, nothing will get better.  They get tired of the struggle and tired of fighting each day.  With their body weary and worn, they desire an escape from reality and often suicide is the only option they see.

In society, we don't want to talk about suicide.  Most people are able to see that it is an illusion, and not reality.  However, that is for the mind that is functioning in a healthy state and able to see reality instead of fantasy.  We as a society need to talk more about this because right now to even mention the thought is considered taboo.  I realize it is hard for people to talk about this or be there with someone that they love who is fighting through thoughts of suicide.  It is not easy for anyone involved.