Is there Hope?

Our favorite quote at my non-profit is, “Suicide is preventable, and help is available”. What this means to us is that things can get better from the current realities that surround us, and some people and platforms can help if and when we become open.

Arthur Hugh Clough said, “Tis better to have fought and lost than never to have fought at all.” We recognize and acknowledge that some will still die by suicide if you have been reading this article for more than 20 seconds; then at least one person has died by suicide, with over 20 others that have attempted according to estimations from the World Health Organization’s Statistics. 

The drive to never stop fighting, to never stop trying, to never stop helping is birthed from the knowledge that there is a lot that can be done both clinically (professionals) and non-clinically (you and I) to ensure that people are not just living but are alive. No one should die by suicide; every life is worth saving.

Beyond Trivialities:

It’s not just about saying things could be better, it’s about showing why things could be better. It’s not just about monitoring the signs and or symptoms, it’s rather about the intentionality with which we care about a people’s situation. At the point of suicide, a person seems to have lost all form of hope and help- while this is true to their reality at the moment, it’s not the complete truth- there is indeed hope and help. Beneath the awareness campaigns and the educational commitments that we make must be a desire to actually care and care truly. It’s about being open to the possibilities of the alternatives that exist in their current reality, and not denying their feelings or calling them invalid.

Three Beginner Steps to Approach Suicide Prevention in 2021.

Observe:

It is difficult to note changes when we have not been looking- what have they changed from? what have they changed into? Because there’s a lot of change in behavior occurring when a person is suicidal, it is of extreme importance that we are observant of the people around us, and the people that we meet. Most people with suicidal ideation (passively or actively thinking about taking their lives) try to communicate their struggles- to what extent is usually dependant on how supportive the environment therein is. If we have not been paying attention, we would miss the warning signs. When we observe those around us, empathizing and facilitating conversations become a lot easier. This behavior change could be them losing interest in things they were very passionate about or in their beginning to talk about death and dying and how the world would be a better place without them in it.

Empathize:

Empathy, “the ability to understand and share the feelings of another” – according to the Oxford Dictionary gives a vivid description of why sympathy is never enough. With sympathy, a person just needs to show that they are understanding without necessarily understanding with the person is going through. If you have had people say things like I have had it worse than you or are you the only one or my favorite, man up- these are the things I am referring to.

I have seen so many people judged online for being human, for having emotions, and for sharing their struggles. Just because you are strong in someone’s weakness does not mean that you are not weak in someone’s strength. Empathy from the etymology of words is to go into the person’s feelings- you are not concerned from your perspective but rather from there’s. The world can do with more kindness, respect, compassion, and empathy. To empathize with people is to show up and be present- to let people know they can count on you and count when it matters. 

Communicate:

Everyone and everything around us communicates with us, we just need to learn how to listen. Communication is a very powerful tool for providing help and support. People know that they are not alone with we communicate with them or when they can communicate with us. And we do not have to be professionals to be able to provide help, sometimes your undivided attention can be magical! You don’t even have to say a word. Knowing whom to refer to is also essential. Sometimes, people are not in your life because they can help you; they are in your life because they know who can help you. Make it a point of duty to know the nearest health facilities and professionals you can reach out to in times of crisis. Equip yourself with mental health first-aid knowledge- so that you can be a first contact person before the first responders arrive if this makes sense.

In summary:

Life hits us differently; everyone is responding to the best of their abilities. There is no one-size-fits-all, and our tipping points (when we can no longer handle the challenges that life throws at us) do not function the same. There is a lot of resource out there that guides us on what steps to take or not to take (and I encourage us to seek them, host conversation with our psychologists, etcetera), I have, however, with this article established the fact that suicide is preventable, but beyond that, how we need to understand why it should be preventable and why we need to be aware of the steps that we are taking.