the past few weeks, suicide has touched the lives of several close friends in ways that left me shaken. it’s too important not to talk about.
every 28 seconds, someone attempts suicide.
let that sink in. & then, think about this: suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US. in my age group, 15-24 year olds, it’s the second. & 1 in 5 people with an eating disorder will die by suicide.
why?
because we don’t talk about it. we would rather not make others uncomfortable or make ourselves seem crazy or mentally unstable. so unless we can talk about it in a removed, throw-our-hands-up-in-helplessness kind of way, like people do when talking about Robin Williams, Kate Spade, and Anthony Bourdain.
the truth is: suicide is preventable.
see, ive almost been one more statistic more times than id like to admit. ive had incredible people by my side who’ve learned the signs & have never been afraid to ask the hard questions. ive gotten help when ive needed it.
i am grateful so many chose to sit with me in the dark. i am grateful i lived through who i was to become who i am. today needs me.
i can’t count the number of times we restrained one of our adolescents so we could cut off something they tied around their neck. ive held the hands of my clients when they’re struggling. ive created safety for them when necessary.
the critical work is to not look away, to look into the face of someone in midst of their darkness & pain & truly see them, hear them. to let them know they are not alone, they are loved, they have a place in this world.
suicide is 100% preventable.
learn the signs. ask the hard questions. sit with people in their pain even when it’s uncomfortable.
check out cssrs.columbia.edu for training on how to talk with someone struggling with suicidal thoughts & suicide prevention resources.
visit afsp.org to learn more about suicide & available resources. if you can afford it, donate to further our research on suicide & suicide prevention.
to anyone struggling, you are not alone. reach out. find help. text “talk” to 741-741. the world is a better place with you in it. please stay alive. 💜
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