September is Suicide Awareness Month.
It’s been a bit since I’ve talked about mental health but I didn’t want to go through this month without sharing my story and break some stigma “like how I like to do” about suicide. I’m not going to gloss over the details. I’ve thought about suicide before. If you’ve seen some of my previous posts I’ve talked about how I used to self harm and had an eating disorder. Most of these were my way of not just coping but feeling like I didn’t want to be on this earth anymore.
Sometimes the worst is when you lose friends by suicide.
What have I learned from all of this, is a terrible cliche saying, my life is full of ups and downs and sometimes way, way, downs but this life is fucking beautiful. All that pain I’ve experienced has created some amazing things in my life and I’m so glad I continued to live. Please remember your life is amazing. Yes there are going to be sometimes when you really think your world is going to end and you are scared of going back to that darkness, but it’s temporary.
Ending your life is permanent
September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day.
What does that mean? It means sharing stories, bringing awareness and ending stigma around suicide. Making sure that those who are feeling suicidal have a place to feel safe and talk things through and realize that ending their life isn’t the answer.
This is a world issue! I challenge everyone today to open up a dialogue about depression and mental illness and suicide (make sure this in a safe space) Talk to your friends and family and make sure that they have resources to stay safe whether it’s a hotline, friends, family, or other distractions.
Amelia Blackwater 