It is June 10, 2018 and it is a sad day. Suicide is up way up, 25% in the US, 30% in some states in the last 25 years. The suicide rate for Americans between the age of 50 and 64 is up drastically, for women an 80% increase according to CBS News. Ouch. It still stings to think of the loss to the planet of luminaries such as Anthony Bourdain, Kate Spade and countless others.
I don’t feel deep sadness very often. Ever since I made it through rectal cancer 11 years ago, I realize that I can detach from a lot more than I thought I could. That education taught me to find happiness in even the darkest moments. I use energy healing tools every day to keep myself functional with all of the chaos in the political and social worlds I operate in.
All that being said, even I, the perennial optimist, considered suicide when I was in that battle, for a minute. I am lucky. Unlike others, I don’t have recurring thoughts that tell me that ending things is a good idea. I spoke to a girl yesterday who told me she has thoughts that say, ‘I should kill myself.”
Thankfully, I don’t have those thoughts.
What I do have though, is the experience of having a friend end her life.
I know the shock and sadness of being left behind. I also was angry with my friend…at first. Why didn’t she call me?
I also know how hard it is to ask for help. Even though I hate asking for help myself, I now know it is even more important to be a good role model so, I plan on asking for more help. Starting today.
How about you?
Have you ever felt alone and unsupported?
Here is the Suicide Hotline Information. One time I called them, not because I wanted to hurt myself, no, I called them because I had a problem I didn’t know where else to go. The woman on the other side of the phone was kind and gave me five minutes of direction. Take care of yourself.
Suicide Prevention