Mental Illness and Suicide

 CLICK HERE

A very important message on suicide.

Recently a guy I went to school with committed suicide. We were not close and hadn't spoken since Jr High School. It still hurts to know that another person has taken their own life.

I have known several people who have committed suicide. No one extremely close to me but each time it has an impact on me.

Probably the biggest impact was when my dads longtime girlfriend, who I only knew from a few short visits, hung herself. It was the only time in my life that I can recall my dad ever crying. He lost the most important person in his life and 7 years later the pain is still very real for him. She was a wonderful woman and I feel so sad that I didn't get to know her better. Sadder yet that she didn't know what else to do because her pain was so great and her struggles so big.

I have heard a lot of talk about how suicide is such a selfish act. I personally do not agree. I know from my own personal struggles when I am in that place it has nothing to be with being selfish. It has to do with an illness that I cannot control. An illness that has control over me. Some days are better than others. Some days suicide never crosses my mind. Some days it is all that I think about.

Mental illness is a taboo subject in our society. It really shouldn't be. All that does is makes it harder to reach out for help. It is something we should be able to talk about with our friends and family. Instead we are afraid to say there is anything wrong. We are afraid to talk to the doctors or to check ourselves into the psych ward. There is a negative stigma attached to mental illness when there shouldn't be.

People with mental illness are not crazy. We did not ask to have this illness. It is a chemical imbalance in our bodies just the same as someone with diabetes. You wouldn't think badly of someone with diabetes so why would you think that of someone who has a mental illness.

I hope and pray that someday there is a better understanding of mental illness. I hope that if someday my children suffer from an illness that can impact their lives in such a way that there is more awareness and acceptance.

If you need someone to talk to please call 1-800-SUICIDE