Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, and I have just one thing to say:
Your life is beautiful. It's an on-purpose work of art. And it is not finished yet.
And please please please, let's talk. Let's all talk. Let's talk about mental illness until there is no more stigma. Let's talk about our struggles until no one thinks they are alone anymore. Let's talk about our darkness and let some air and light in! Let's talk about grace until the sound of it drowns out the voices that tell so many that their life is not worth living.
OK, so that was sort of more than just one thing.
I feel I can do no better on this Suicide Prevention Day than to link to a couple of posts by others. The first is the recent story of a new mom who lost her life to postpartum depression. Let's stop devaluing and ignoring the pain of so many precious mothers by calling it "the baby blues." This needs serious attention, serious thought, and tremendous effort to prevent more tragic deaths.
The second is a phenomenal poster I saw on Facebook a while ago that apparently hangs in a therapist's office. It should be posted everywhere. Please, anyone who has though.t about ending their own life, you are NO coward. Your thoughts are far from selfish. You are anything but weak. Go and ask for that stick.
With all of my heart,
J
Your life is beautiful. It's an on-purpose work of art. And it is not finished yet.
And please please please, let's talk. Let's all talk. Let's talk about mental illness until there is no more stigma. Let's talk about our struggles until no one thinks they are alone anymore. Let's talk about our darkness and let some air and light in! Let's talk about grace until the sound of it drowns out the voices that tell so many that their life is not worth living.
OK, so that was sort of more than just one thing.
I feel I can do no better on this Suicide Prevention Day than to link to a couple of posts by others. The first is the recent story of a new mom who lost her life to postpartum depression. Let's stop devaluing and ignoring the pain of so many precious mothers by calling it "the baby blues." This needs serious attention, serious thought, and tremendous effort to prevent more tragic deaths.
With all of my heart,
J
Thanks so much for writing this. I have been diagnosed with postpartum depression but a lot of my friends and family don't understand. They think I was wrongly diagnosed because they see that I function fine outside of the home but don't see the hell inside my mind. Creating awareness is so important so we can be aware ourselves and get help and also so our families can learn how to respond as well.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous, you are not alone! It hurts so much to be misunderstood. Know that you are strong, and that you can find help! I do hope your family will understand one day, but in the meantime, stand strong in yourself and your will to survive. With love, J
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