There’s always light at the end of the tunnel…ending your life isn’t a solution

••TRIGGER WARNING••

Some so many people have committed or attempted to commit suicide. Suicide is a taboo subject that no one even wants to openly discuss. It’s seen as a stigma in the community, and my question is, why? Why can’t we openly talk about suicide and find ways to help people who feel like they have no other choice but to end their lives?

You can’t have a tag line under suicide, saying that only cowards run away from their lives, and that’s why they end it. It’s those who have been made to feel like that they are so worthless that they saw death as a better choice than living. Every time someone commits suicide, we should know that we have failed that person altogether.

We don’t know what goes through one’s mind. Sometimes people hide their depression so well that no one would ever figure out in a million years that they have thoughts about ending their life every night. It’s easy to say go seek professional help, talk about it, reach out to someone, call the suicide hotline, etc. etc. but it’s not that easy to do.

We need to change how we look at mental illness. We need to start treating mental illness like every other disease. And that’s what’s going to take time because once someone does actually start seeing a psychiatrist and getting treatment, people are quick to label them as, “oh he/she is crazy or mentally unfit.” We see people who actually seek professional help as an alien. That person is the center of all gossip.

So at the end of the day, we are hypocritical. You want me to speak up and get professional help when I know I’m depressed, but once I do start seeking help, you begin to judge me, and if I didn’t get help and ended up committing suicide, you start telling people oh well they should’ve sought help or they should’ve opened up. It’s like a vicious cycle that needs to end, and it needs to end right now!

Some people have had failed suicide attempts and are so grateful to be alive. They start seeing life differently, and some are not so lucky to be given that second chance. I wish they could have seen past all the darkness and realized how precious their lives are.

Every time I hear or read about someone who’s left this world because they decided to end it, it breaks my heart. I have been there, and I’m one of the lucky ones who was able to snap out of it and actually relive life. The darkness is temporary, and there really is light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to keep going. You have to continue to push through.

What we need to do is de-stigmatize the whole concept of suicide in a way where those contemplating it know that there are people out there who won’t judge them when they do try to seek help. We should actually support them and keep them motivated to continue seeking guidance, and to do that we need to change our way of thinking.

Suicide isn’t the answer. You may feel like it will solve your and other problems, but it really doesn’t. Don’t let some shi**y people make you feel that way, and don’t let the devil into your head. Once you’re gone, that’s it. It’s over for you, but what about your family or friends or someone who truly loves you and cares for you. They’ll live their life trying to figure out where they went wrong and why they weren’t worthy enough of your breath. They’ll continue to beat themselves, trying to find answers and trying to answer their “what if I reached out earlier? What if I wasn’t so hard? What if?….

Don’t live for others. Live for yourself. People will talk no matter what. Let the negative people out of your life and only keep those who are genuinely nice to you and care about you. Don’t let anyone make you feel worthless. Get professional help, not for others, but for yourself and for your loved ones. Open up to someone you trust.

Often times, we see ourselves advising people going through these dark times. To those people, please stop. When they open up to you, and they are not asking for advice, just lend them your ears and LISTEN. Say nothing. Just listen and empathize with them. Make them feel comfortable and give them your unconditional support. Sometimes all they need is someone to vent to.

That’s why venting is so important. Vent wholeheartedly to someone who you know will listen to you and always let people vent to you without passing any of your opinions. The change starts with me and you.

If you’re going through some tough times and you need someone to hear you or talk to….. don’t hesitate to reach out to me via my contact page. I’m always here for anyone who needs a friend.