TRIGGER WARNING: Suicidal References

How long will you continue pretending that everything is okay?

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog on not wanting to exist and that’s how I truly felt in the moment, but as I have gotten better I started to think about what one’s mind goes through when contemplating suicide. It’s not an easy topic to talk about, it’s very taboo within religion, culture even friendships.

Most people within their friendships joke about this topic ”ugh, I wanna kill myself” ”Honestly I just wanna die” you know, we’ve heard them, I’ve heard them, hell I have said them too, though they may mean nothing when I say them, what if they actually meant something to someone else. What if your friend was actually serious when they said them, what if you actually meant it when you said it, do you actually want to take your own life?

”You just have to think positively” ”Good vibes only” ”Self care days through and through” …do you think this is a reality TV show? Life doesn’t work in that way. Listen first, listen before you say anything, before you give your opinion, pay attention and show that you care.

Warning signs of a suicidal person according to crisis centre:

• Talking or joking about suicide or dying
• Making preparations for death such as giving away significant possessions, making a will, writing a suicide note, clearing up loose ends;
• A previous suicide attempt; the suicide of someone important;
• Being persistently depressed or down for more than a couple of weeks; protracted anxiety or agitation; extreme mood swings/bipolarity; outbursts of rage, grief, violence;
• Isolation, withdrawal from previously enjoyed relationships and activities;
• Lethargy, lack of interest, low energy, insomnia or over-sleeping;
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs;
• Uncharacteristic high risk activity, impulsive behaviours
• Expressions of hopelessness, helplessness, purposelessness
• Low self-esteem, low self-worth, self-contempt, anger toward self;
• Significant loss(es), such as important relationship, health, identity, economic security, freedom.

It should be noted that some people who die by suicide do not show any suicide warning signs. But about 75 percent of those who die by suicide do exhibit some suicide warning signs, so we need to be aware of what the suicide warning signs are and try to spot them in people. If we do see someone exhibiting suicide warning signs, we need to do everything that we can to help them.

suicide.org

Suicide Myths	Suicide Facts
People who are suicidal do not seek help.	Many people who are suicidal reach out for help.
Young people never think about suicide, they have their entire life ahead of them.	Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people aged 15-24. Sometimes children under 10 die by suicide.
People who are suicidal definitely want to die.	The vast majority of people who are suicidal do not want to die. They are in pain, and they want to stop the pain.
People who talk about suicide are just trying to get attention.	People who die by suicide usually talk about it first. They are in pain and oftentimes reach out for help because they do not know what to do and have lost hope. Always take talk about suicide seriously. Always.

If you feel someone is at a high risk of suicide, reach out to them and just be their friend. Listen to them about whatever it may be that they are going through, if you feel this is too much, refer them to someone whole you feel may help because this is a very heavy topic.

If you are someone going through this I want you to know that life is worth living. I understand it’s hard, I understand it hurts and the tears won’t stop, I understand you feel alone but you aren’t alone. You have so much to live for and without you, their would be a huge void it people’s lives. Your life matters, you matter, just hold on a little longer. Life is full of suprises and you’ll never know just what’s instore for you, so please be a little bit more patient.

If you need to talk to someone, text these numbers they will get get back to you immediately :

• Text – 85258 (UK)
• Text – 741741 (Canada/USA)
• Text 086 1800 280 (Ireland)

For other international helplines: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

For any other information send me a direct message on Instagram: wordsbymul

You are loved and your life is worth living ✨