Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Around the world, survivors are telling others around us our stories of hope, faith, and the pain we live with as suicide survivors. Make no mistake; there are plenty of people who do not understand why people take their lives, and they see it as a selfish act meant to hurt others.
I'm here to tell you that this is not always the case. When I mentor teens on depression and suicide, I always tell them to focus on the positive and work hard to refuse to acknowledge the negative. There are so many things that can bring a person down, and often, we're not taught how to cope with the stress of let downs, disappointments, and setbacks. When the pain is unbearable, when you no longer have the wherewithal to keep up the fake smile, and the tears seem to stream down your face, you really wish you had someone to talk to, someone to comfort you, and someone to let you know that all is well, and that it will get better.
If you're suffering right now, and you feel like your lows outweigh your highs, please know I am here. I understand. I have been there, and sometimes, travel back there. If I had one piece of advice for you today, it would be to this: focus on the positive. Focus on even the smallest things - the ability to see, hear, smell, feel, and touch. Fpcus on the little bit of good around you. Focus on all of the things that have at one point, brought you joy. If you need someone to talk to, please call 1-800-273-8255. This is the number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the US. If you are a teen, and you need to reach out to me, I offer FREE SKYPE SESSIONS for teens who are living with depression - notice I don't say, "struggling" - it's not always a struggle, and we don't want to keep giving it that title and power.
Please know you are not alone. If you need me, I am here.
I love you, and there's absolutely, positively, nothin' you can do about it.
XOXO
