Que Sera, Sarah.

Finding my life again.

20 notes

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...

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. 💜
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2dWSFUgX664wHH55q79Rj7leiIBmGLOyYntE80/?igshid=wr4gsr73rro1

1 note

do you know where your polling place is? do you know what time the polls open and close? do you know when during your day you will go vote?
have you looked at your ballot? have you researched the candidates and issues? who and what are you voting...

do you know where your polling place is? do you know what time the polls open and close? do you know when during your day you will go vote?

have you looked at your ballot? have you researched the candidates and issues? who and what are you voting for? do you know what impact that candidate will have on your community, your state, and our country if elected? are you in good conscious able to live with that?

you have a duty to go vote. you have a moral imperative to vote for candidates that will protect the rights of ALL citizens, of minorities, of women, of LGBTQ+ folks, of immigrants. regardless of your personal feelings on those issues. humans are humans as humans. use your voice to protect them.

vote as if you life depended on it. because it does.

#election2018 #whenweallvote #rockthevote #voteblue #electwomen #noexcuses #useyourvoice #lovetrumpshate


https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp0K2ZgnqGYxrAxHWk1G19vBOKG3LqIBYuukQM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pstc4zyr2q5o

Filed under election2018 whenweallvote rockthevote voteblue electwomen noexcuses useyourvoice lovetrumpshate

0 notes

Less than one week and I will be participating in the National Eating Disorders Association Walk in Cleveland.
I have personally struggled with an eating disorder and know firsthand the lifesaving work that NEDA does. It would mean so much to me if...

Less than one week and I will be participating in the National Eating Disorders Association Walk in Cleveland.

I have personally struggled with an eating disorder and know firsthand the lifesaving work that NEDA does. It would mean so much to me if you would support me, either by making a donation, no matter how small, or by walking with me on 9/30.

For every $10 donated, you can help 180 people take the first steps towards recovery through an online screening. For $250, the NEDA Helpline runs for 2.5 hours. For $500, another research grant is funded, which can lead researchers to better treatments for these illnesses.

Donations can be made in my name here: http://neda.nationaleatingdisorders.org/goto/vandeweert

If you’d like to join me in the walk, you can register online or in person on the day of the event (& get free admission to the Cleveland Zoo the rest of the day!)

WALK DETAILS:
Location: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, OH
Date: Sunday, September 30th
Check in time: 8am
Opening ceremony: 9am
Walk end time: 10am

Please contact me with any questions or for more information!

#eatingdisorderssuck #supportrecovery #nedawalk (at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BoG-Q8Rncg8RFXEdTGAiJmel27ZmG1mSgB1nw00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fjqgnjr5rmub

Filed under eatingdisorderssuck supportrecovery nedawalk

0 notes

World Suicide Prevention Day is coming to a close, but our conversations should not stop at midnight.
Every day, people need help. Every day, people need hope.
The statistics are heartbreaking: Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for...

World Suicide Prevention Day is coming to a close, but our conversations should not stop at midnight.

Every day, people need help. Every day, people need hope.

The statistics are heartbreaking: Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for individuals 10 to 34 and the 4th for those 35 to 54. On average, one person dies by suicide every 16.2 minutes.

The darkness wins far too often.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE. Learn the warning signs. Have conversations with your loved ones. Ask them if they’re thinking thinking about suicide. No, you will not put the idea in their head. And help them get help.

I am one less statistic. I am living proof that it gets better, that the darkness doesn’t always win. It wasn’t an easy journey, and still isn’t some days. But it’s worth it to be alive every day.

If you are struggling, reach out. To a friend, a family member, a hotline. My inbox is always open.

Don’t let the darkness win. Tomorrow needs you here.

#worldsuicidepreventionday #wspd #tomorrowneedsyou #suicideispreventable
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnkFiJ-AabgzUHDLPbg-JZad6b0mTr8GVJDWxM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1au4g8d1wsnxi

Filed under worldsuicidepreventionday wspd tomorrowneedsyou suicideispreventable

3,113 notes

lgbtqswift:

now is not your forever.

these classes that you’re worried about won’t last forever.

these toxic friendships you’re in won’t last forever.

this depressive episode won’t last forever.

this pain, this numbness, this emptiness…it wont last forever.

the hardest thing to deal with is that we (you nor I), can never guarantee how long any of these things will last.

but I can pinky promise you that one day,

you will wake up,

and you will be happy you stayed.

(via rottenbutrecovering)

390 notes

laylacreatesart:

Reblog if…

Reblog this if you think mental health is important. It affects people daily, there are cures to some, but then there are conditions that are life-long. It can take a negative turn or a positive turn in someones life, sometimes even both.

Show people that you support mental health and getting the ones who are mentally ill the proper help and care that they need!

(via sam-swiftie)