Lifesavers
Amy Rauch
Permanent action to end temporary suffering. Suicide is not a solution. What lurks just beneath the surface, we may never know. We can reach out, assume the best in others, and consider that simple acts of kindness may go further than we think toward saving lives.
Unavoidable irony and tragedy persist when beloved celebrities and loved ones opt out of life. Ironic because thousands upon thousands strive daily to achieve the same level of success in their respective fields....hoping and dreaming and wishing to one day be in their ranks. Tragic for the individuals, their families, and the many who will consider the same end for their own lives as a result.My mind still wanders to the Robin Williams tragedy 7 years ago. That event did indeed trigger additional instances and media guidelines to help limit the copycat effect.
This hit closer to home for me a few years ago when my longtime friend’s brother took his own life in my friend’s apartment. The questions, the second-guessing, the “What could I have done or said?” and “What did I miss?” and “How could I have let this happen?” continue to haunt his loved ones. My friend is running in a marathon sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and I could not be more proud. It gave me such joy to donate (on behalf of Raleigh Psychology) to the cause on behalf of my friend’s bravery and resilience and in honor of his beloved brother. My friend took a hard and long look at his life after the tragedy and is a fortunate case of post-traumatic resilience, though I know he would trade his own personal growth and wish for it to have come at any other cost, for a chance to hug his brother again.
Taking care of one’s mental health is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Notice the increasing frequency of the hopeless and helpless thoughts. Pay attention to the mind wandering to possible methods to end the current discomfort. We can’t afford to let stigma dictate our access to well-being. The stakes are too high. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255