Let's Talk About It

Death and grief is a difficult thing.  When you aren't allowed to talk about it, it's even more difficult. I see people post about their loved ones, and grief on Facebook.  I, on the other hand, struggle with posting.  I'm afraid that someone will think that it is inappropriate or that I shouldn't talk about my sister ending her life by suicide.  When we wrote the obituary and posted on Facebook we never mentioned suicide.  We aren't supposed to talk about that.

What would happen if a person got a large injury to their arm, but didn't talk about it, didn't ask for help?  Eventually that injury would get infected.  If the infection wasn't talked about it, the arm would have to be amputated.  The person would lose their arm.  Not talking about suicide and mental illness does the same thing, it makes it worse.

Some people think that talking about suicide idealizes it.  This is the same backward logic as saying that teaching sexuality education causes teens to have sex.  There is research to prove that the opposite is true.  If we are going to help people that are considering suicide we must talk about it.  Talking about suicide and mental illness will make it easier for people to ask for help.

Those that are struggling with mental illness don't ask for help because it's not acceptable to talk about suicide.  Often, people say that suicide is selfish.  Those that are considering it are worried about being chastised for considering this permanent act.  When they reach out to friends and loved ones they are worried about being judged and considered selfish, and attention seeking.

Suicidal thoughts and reaching out for help are selfish - the person is trying to get help for themselves.  It's also attention seeking - the person is asking for attention to their problem.  These are not bad things!  This is what we teach children to do, and remind adults to do.  We teach children to ask for help and talk about their problems, and we remind adults to do the same.  We must include suicidal thoughts, and mental illness in this.

September is Suicide Prevention Month and this week is World Suicide Prevention Week.  I'm going to shine my light by talking about suicide.  My sister, Nicole, ended her life by suicide on April 29, 2016.  She suffered from mental illness and was a survivor of domestic violence.  I struggle with depression and have had suicidal thoughts.  Please join me in talking about suicide and mental illness on social media with the hashtag  #letyourlightshine429

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18 NIV

Below is an excellent description of suicidal thoughts by Glennon Doyle Melton and suicide and mental health  resources.

I AM A LOVE WARRIOR AND SO I KEPT LIVING