Suicide is preventiontable
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Today I’m going to open a window of my world to the world outside to show how suicide is preventable and how it harms everyone, not just who commits to do it, successful or not. It harms those who are gone and those who are left behind.
Suicide is so unknown yet everyone knows someone who has died by suicide. There are many myths associated with suicide. Suicide is not one wanting to take revenge on others. Suicide is not selfish. Suicide is not hurting others but it is stopping the pain. Those who are suicidal, don’t want to end the world, they just want the pain and misery to end. Suicide is not attention seeking. Suicide is not… so much is not suicide.
What suicide is, a big painful stigma.
Suicide is preventable like a flu or like covid, it is preventable. Prevention means it can be stopped with adequate resources, support and interventions. There are unknown number of reasons for one to attempt and/or die by suicide. It’s about the person who dies by suicide and those who commit to attempt suicide.
Three years ago my sister died by suicide in India. She was hurting, she was in pain, she suffered snd she killed herself.
As a therapist, an LCSW I work very closely with patients that are either suicidal or currently getting treatment for issues associated with suicidality. All tell me that they reached out to their families, friends, associates and acquaintances before planning or intending suicide but due to attached stigma, they were brushed off. Many were rejected by professional places due to lack of financial or insurance related issues. Many of them had to hide their true feelings due to issues related to sexuality, racism, homelessness, drug addiction, domestic violence, adultery and many many issues. As long as we ignore to fund snd support reasons behind suicide, prevention is going to stay blocked.
When someone tells you they feel suicidal or they want to die, believe them. Help them, support them, be there for them.
If someone you are suicidal or you know needs support in issues related to suicidality, please call 1–800–273–8255.
Prevent suicide. Save lives.
I’ll write more on it in future, but ask me anything. We are the prevention, be there for yourself, be there for others.
Much love,
VJ — 09/19/2021
