Recently, I learned that a college friend -- who I hadn't seen in years-- committed suicide after years of struggling with depression.
Then another old friend, again one I had limited contact with recently, disappeared after leaving a suggestive message. People feared that she had taken her life. Thankfully, she was found and is safe.
Suicide is a tough thing to talk about. There is so much stigma around and so much fear. But there are ways to help. I am no expert on this topic, but there are plenty out there. Here are links to two helpul sites.
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/whattodo.htm
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Don't forget that prayer is a practical responce to any crisis! In the second situation above hundreds were praying.
Simple things like remembering to live by the Golden Rule, providing a listening ear to those who need it, and getting help when necessary may help to prevent suicide. Ultimately, though, people make their own choices. Sometimes, we just can't change their minds.
Dr. G. Lloyd Carr and his wife, Gwen Carr wrote a book called The Fierce Good-bye. I recommend it to anyone who is struggling after a loved one's suicide or just wants to know how to help. I have a copy if you want to borrow it.
I hope you never need this information, but that you will use it if you do.
Do you have any other thoughts on ways to help or where to look for it?
God bless!
Then another old friend, again one I had limited contact with recently, disappeared after leaving a suggestive message. People feared that she had taken her life. Thankfully, she was found and is safe.
Suicide is a tough thing to talk about. There is so much stigma around and so much fear. But there are ways to help. I am no expert on this topic, but there are plenty out there. Here are links to two helpul sites.
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/whattodo.htm
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Don't forget that prayer is a practical responce to any crisis! In the second situation above hundreds were praying.
Simple things like remembering to live by the Golden Rule, providing a listening ear to those who need it, and getting help when necessary may help to prevent suicide. Ultimately, though, people make their own choices. Sometimes, we just can't change their minds.
Dr. G. Lloyd Carr and his wife, Gwen Carr wrote a book called The Fierce Good-bye. I recommend it to anyone who is struggling after a loved one's suicide or just wants to know how to help. I have a copy if you want to borrow it.
I hope you never need this information, but that you will use it if you do.
Do you have any other thoughts on ways to help or where to look for it?
God bless!
I don't like to think of suicide as a "choice," because those people who do commit suicide are not in their right mind and are clinically depressed and therefore are not making rational decisions. The dialogue that we use when talking about suicide is important because it forces us to be more sensitive about the issue, which ultimately helps those who have been affected by it in some way.
ReplyDeleteIn using "choice" there I was addressing those who have been left behind and might be feeling guilty. I wanted to give the sense that they are not responsible.
ReplyDelete(Persistent bullies and consistently mean people may have cause to feel guilty in these situations, but most of us do not.)
You are right though, most people who choose suicide are not capable of rational decision-making and we should be careful in our dialogue.