Tomorrow is World Suicide Prevention Day. A time to acknowledge its a disturbingly common issue, swept under the rug. Suicide causes more deaths than war and homicide combined. Every 40 seconds a person ends their own life. Its important that discussion of mental health becomes mainstream. We have brave people like Stephen Fry and Jeff Kennett who have been striving to make it that. Countless twits who share their experiences and words of encouragement on twitter. Stories of workplaces now addressing mental health. The key to getting through the darkest times is support. Its what takes people from the lowest places to somewhere where they can begin to help themselves. And it is damn hard to reach out for - sometimes too hard. It can be equally hard to accept. This year during a very dark time I reached out to someone close and was met with dismissal and, eventually, scathing criticism. The cause and remedy trivialised. Adding to my distressed state it made me question whether how I felt was somehow something I wanted, as insinuated - fabricated by some desire for attention. In retrospect it was the single most hurtful thing I have ever experienced. It made me feel compromised, discarded, ashamed, embarrassed and a nuisance. Fortunately friends and family showed up to help - to talk, to distract (and as its been a hard few months Ive yet to show my appreciation for it). Aside from that single instance, I have had wonderful people around me during really dark times - even when it was extraordinarily difficult for them to be there because of their own struggles. But thats what helps to make the difference. And Im lucky. Truly lucky. Essentially I want to take that negative and, in the spirit of September 10, turn it into a message that I dont want anyone else to ever feel or be treated that way. Lets work together to make other people as lucky as I am. As someone who has been on both sides - supporting and needing the support - I know how difficult it is to be there and help. And sometimes I sucked at it, because it isnt easy. If you can, be there. Help. And always remember to ask ruok - it can result in a response thats difficult to hear, but makes all the difference in the world. And if you cant do it, be kind; get them in contact with someone who can. Thank you to those who do ask and are there. For everyone who needs it.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 13:10:25 +0000
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