I’m talking to you. And your darkest thoughts.
First and foremost, someone loves you. This person is a friend. A parent. A distant cousin. A colleague. The guy who makes your coffee once a week at your favourite coffeeshop. Someone truly, madly, and deeply loves you. It doesn’t have to be romantic love, just that feeling of insanely strong affection for you. Out of all the people on this planet, you.
Think of him/her/them – and the amount of unspeakable pain your loss will undoubtedly cause them.
More importantly, please think of all the amazing memories and experiences you both are bound to have.
Secondly, someone is going to listen to you. There’s a good chance you already know this, and that this person is someone you confide in. Someone you can trust, and someone who will make themselves available for you, if you only ask.
You don’t need to be alone with your thoughts. You don’t have to be.
There is someone out there for you, and is ready and waiting for you to reach out and ask. Please reach out and ask.
Third and lastly, you owe it to yourself to live. Not to anyone, not to anything – you owe it to you alone. When times are tough, situations seem out of control, and you feel like there is no other choice, think of yourself. No one can say when our ‘time is up’, but please think about that one extra day, week, month, year, or decade that you have just by living – and the incredible things you could do with that time.
I’ve been there. That deep hole of black despair and hopelessness. Further down than I am brave enough to admit, sometimes.
But just thinking about the opportunities of the next day, the next year, the next whenever… Sometimes, it’s enough, and it makes all the difference.
And I’m talking to you, the one without the dark cloud hanging over your head.
We need to challenge ourselves.
Let’s show our friends and family that we love them. Let’s never stop reminding them, and let’s not stop showing them that we do.
One act of love could be the difference between “See you later,” and “Goodbye.”
Let’s be more patient, kind, gracious, forgiving, and understanding towards each other. It won’t always be easy, but it’s a heck of a lot easier than living with regret that maybe we could have been better and more empathetic listeners.
Let’s look at life a little more positively. Let’s celebrate second chances, opportunities, and good luck – especially when they happen to our friends and loved ones. Let’s celebrate the wins, big and small. Let’s take in the view, smell the air, put our phones down, and be there for each other.
You and your outlook on life could inspire someone you know to stay strong and to be hopeful.
Note: This is obviously just one perspective among the dozens – hundreds, even – out there, on how we as a society can handle the pain and confusion associated with suicide.
Those who need further help may call suicide prevention hotlines below. These are open for 24 hours, seven days a week:
- (02) 804-HOPE (4673)
- 0917 558 HOPE (4673)
- 2919 (toll-free number for all GLOBE and TM subscribers)
Photo by Thoma Boehi from Pexels
Jason Cruz 