#WorldSuicidePreventionDay

#CreatingHopeThroughAction

As a Mental health worker I often deal with people struggling with suicidal thoughts and those who attempted suicide.
I can tell you one thing , we cannot fully comprehend the emotional turmoil, mental disturbance those people go through at that time, it is deeply ‘personally’ felt. The most assuring thing we can do is acknowledge what they are feeling and the thoughts going through their mind.
You do not have to throw in phrases like “you are weak”, “you are possessed”, “you are a coward” “you are spoilt” etc… these are just nails in the coffin, it is not ‘tough love’ neither is it therapeutic. You cannot scare nor intimidate someone who has lost the desire to live into healing, they are already beating themselves up and do carry a rigid unpleasant perception of self— seek to understand, reason amicably and not impose.
The very least we can do is just listen, let him or her defuse that tension through talk ,it does help more than we think. It creates a platform of comfort and to some extent willingness to receive help.

When you are at a distance you might think suicide is as easy as deciding on what to eat for dinner, you might think it is as much a choice as choosing what to wear for an event…
But do come closer to even just one person dealing with this, have and show empathy—- this might give you a chance to realize there is a level of psychological control lost in that time. The zeal to go on is almost dead if not totally gone.

One of the most painful things is when someone coils into silence because we downplay their emotions/situations then the next thing we lose them through suicide. It leaves us with a lot of self blame, guilt and unanswered questions.

So choose empathy—one day your word/comment, your listenership, your presence and understanding might save a life.

#youmatter

Much love

❤️💚 Kelly