“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.”
~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca
This week is a focus on suicide awareness as we attempt to
raise understanding of depression, mental illness, and the consequences of not
treating them. Please read the transcript of today's #SuicideChat as it is
national #suicide awareness week. Imagine a #worldwithoutsuicide . Link:http://t.co/wJdy9IFhny
I have written before about being the last to speak to my
grandfather before he took his own life. This was in my younger years. I also
unfortunately felt depressed to the point of attempting to do the same. By the
grace of God I did not succeed. As I look back on now more than forty years on
this earth; I see joy in a daughter growing up and sadness in others who use
suicide threats as a lashing out for self indulged hurt.
The difficulty in all of this is that very few of us are
medical and mental health professionals with the keen understanding of how to
recognize when there is a cry for help or simply a cry for attention. In either
case, there needs to be swift response; the risk of consequence is too grave to
afford idle reaction.
If you yourself feel in crisis, or you recognize that in
another, call. Please. Now. 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Go to www.afsp,org and learn
the signs and best responses to this frightening situation. Please trust me
when I say you will likely not be saving just one life; but the others left
behind should you or your loved one succeed.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
