A Matter of Perspective

Please note: This is a sad post and a difficult one. I just felt I needed to write this today...

Another young person committed suicide in my community this week. She was a young woman—20 years old—full of life but all she felt was darkness and death. Instead of the sun, she saw doom. Instead of hope, she knew only despair.

But nobody knew it. Or, if they knew it, they were so busy with their own lives, they didn’t or couldn’t help her. She shot herself under a bridge in a neighboring county.

A couple of months ago, a young man—also in his 20s—shot himself. He felt no hope, only what he saw as the cruel reality of a life without meaning.

These are just two examples in the past couple of months in an area with a population of 50,000 spread out over hundreds of miles. This doesn’t count the suicides of people that are older adults in the area. It doesn’t count the ones that looked like accidents.

I am so torn up about this. I need to do something. My website is about making money online, but it is also about all of life and making all of life profitable from our physical health, mental health and wealth.

We are going to do a series here at the newspaper on suicide statistics in our area (which are quite large considering our population numbers), prevention and more.

But I want—I need—to do more than that. I am going to check with our school superintendents and see if there are any volunteer opportunities to talk to the kids at school. I will talk to whomever I can about this. Our kids are dying! I need to do something!

I have a Dream(er)...

The young woman who killed herself this week was named Dreamer. Isn’t that a beautiful name? It belonged to a beautiful young woman. She had dreams of a better life. She had hopes for a brighter future but something went wrong. Many somethings went wrong and it ended with death.

As an adult of nearly 60 years old, I know pain and despair. I know the feeling of wanting to end it all. I also know that the saying, “It will get better,” is true. I know this because I have lived through some horrible things and things do get better.

But when you are in the depth of despair I also know that it feels like nothing will ever get better. The sun will never shine again. The moon will never rise again. It will never stop raining or it will never start raining.

But it does...

Suicide prevention tips—Please note: The core of these tips was written using ChatGPT.

Suicide prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re supporting a loved one or struggling yourself, there are crucial steps to take.

First, open dialogue. Encourage honest conversations about emotions, struggles, and suicidal thoughts without judgment. Listening attentively and empathetically can make a world of difference.

Next, foster a supportive environment. Ensure individuals feel valued, respected, and loved. Small gestures of kindness can have profound effects. Connect with mental health resources; therapy, support groups, and hotlines offer vital support networks.

Recognize warning signs. These include withdrawal, mood swings, and reckless behavior. If you notice these signs, gently express concern and offer assistance. Remove potential means of harm, such as firearms or medications.

Lastly, prioritize self-care. Maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Seek professional help if struggling with mental health issues.

Together, through compassion, understanding, and proactive intervention, we can prevent suicide and build a community of hope and support.

My additional prevention tips...

Just be there. Sometimes we are so busy with our own lives we forget that others are struggling to make sense of life and this world.

Be a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes people just need to talk to someone or cry on someone’s shoulder without saying any words. Don’t be afraid to let someone talk to you. You may be their life preserver.

Tell them not to do it.

If you have experience with this, it’s okay to share your experience. Let them know they are not alone.

You don’t have to be an expert to be a friend, to listen, to share, and to be someone to hold onto.

I hope you all have a good week. I’m here if you need me.