Dear america,There is a list of topics that people are never supposed to talk about during a first encounter: religion, politics and death, are among the few. Today, our society has become immune to the violence and death that occurs daily. However, there are still things that are ignored for the “greater good” and not believed in as greatly. I want to take you on a journey with me about one topic that’s never supposed to be breached and is dear to my own heart. Suicide. Suicide is an extremely taboo topic. Why? Why do we make it so much more than it is? We need to talk about suicide rationally, but no one wants to. We need to be educated about suicide, but we can’t stop pretending that it doesn’t happen, that it doesn’t exist. People are killing themselves, why are we just sitting around and ignoring them? If nothing else will make us pay attention, will this? The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention released their statistics on American suicides to further help educate others on the importance of suicide prevention. The most recent statistics available to the American population on American suicide is from the year 2013. In 2013, someone took their own life every 12.8 minutes in America. That’s 41,149 people. That’s 41,149 people that needed your help. Our help. That’s 41,149 deaths that everyone is making insignificant because no one can talk about the reality of suicide Now that you are taking this “taboo topic” seriously, we can move on. A major issue that is address with the topic of suicide is criminalization. It’s even in the way we express the cause of death. “Oh, he committed suicide.” You don’t commit suicide. You commit a crime. You are arrested for committing a crime. Taking your own life is not a crime. For some, suicide is inevitable, an out that was needed and they saw no other way. This scenario right here is what I am trying to prevent. It’s what needs to be prevented. There should always be an alternative to taking your own life. A choice. One that is given to us by our basic rights as human beings. One that should never be taken away. Survivors of suicide and depression need guidance. We don't need Facebook likes; we don't need retweets; we don't need purple and turquoise ribbons pinned on backpacks or stuck on cars. We need to listen to each other. We need to be supported and supportive. We need to be positive. We need to spread awareness. My mother once told me, “Give me your burdens and I will give you my hope. Give me your fears and I will give you my strength. I will fight with you, because you are important.” These three sentences stick with me still to this day and I personally don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t shared my personal struggles with someone else. I overcame my fear of being rejected by others. I was terrified that I would be told “get over it”, “it’s just in your head” or “this is your way of getting attention.” However, that never happened to me and it should never happen to you. I know what it feels like to be depressed. To feel like no one can be trusted, like no one would understand me. I was surrounded by people, but no matter what, I always felt alone. For everyone reading this letter and struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please know that you are not alone and people want to help you. There is always someone who understands you. I understand you. Don’t ever feel unwanted, hopeless, or undeserving. You are amazing. You are beautiful. You are loved. I love you. You are a phenomenal being that has a divine role to play throughout this lifetime. You don’t have to be alone any longer. There is always someone who will listen to you. I will listen. You are here for a reason and you deserve to stay. Never forget that. Mental Health Daily recently published an article, “10 Powerful Suicide Prevention Quotes and Sayings,” which as stated in the title contained 10 extremely powerful statements that I personally feel are perfect for those of us struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. There was one quote that I connected to automatically and would like to share with you. I want to take the time to say thank you to everyone who has already spread the awareness of suicide. Every voice counts in the endless struggle to bring about awareness of suicide to those who do not wish to believe in such horrors of life. Suicide is not an illness, however, it can still be prevented. With a little hard work and determination from you, we can help make those who suffer from suicidal thoughts and depression smile both on the inside and outside once more. Until everyone is willing to step up and oppose suicide as one united force, we will continue to suffer in ignorant silence. Always feeling alone and unnatural. Wake up America because suicide is a real thing and it strikes deadly at the heart of those we all love. Depression and suicidal thoughts might be hard now, but please don’t take a permanent solution to a temporary problem. No one needs more agony; no one needs to be caged within their own minds permanently enduring the endless cycle of depression. Trust me, there is someone out there who is more than willing to help you survive the demon we all call depression. Promise me; that even when it seems like there is no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel, that you will push on and become the person you are meant to be. I only hope that during those last moments in life where we believe death will set us free, we all take a moment to remember everything we are leaving behind. Everyone we are choosing to leave behind. After all, there is no turning back time. Reach out for help before you make the ultimate decision in which you may never return from. I will always love you, Haley PS. Always remember that you are not alone. If you feel like you are hanging on the edge call 1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)
2 Comments
Reed
11/13/2015 08:55:50 pm
Beautiful darling! I'm so glad you are standing up for something you are so passionate about in such a strong way. Xoxo
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Cindy
11/14/2015 12:34:10 pm
Although I did not read this post completely I will still leave a reply. Especally for those that would EVER think that your family may be better off without you. That could not be futher from the truth than any truth that I know. Directly but indirectly I have been affected by suicide. This person was not my blood but one of my blood was his blood and no one that I know that knew him will ever be the same. Life HAS to change after you loose someone to suicide and it does not make anything better. You have no choice but for it to change. It get's harder and sadder for the one's who go through it. It can ruin you if you let it so you have to work harder just to go through it. So please do not believe that life will be easier for the one's you leave behind. I is not the truth. Love to all those of you who feel so hopeless that you want to leave your life. Life does have it's up's and down's for everyone. Someone is out there that can help, just keep your eyes and heart open!
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