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Blessings in the Mire, California, Death, Hanging, health, I AM, Mental Health, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Pain, Paris, Public service announcement, self esteem, Self-, Steve Sullivan, suicide, Suicide prevention, Support group, United States
Today I am on my way to California to attend a funeral for the brother of a close friend. The deceased was tormented for most of his life, and never learned that he held the key to his own release by means less drastic than hanging.
Suicide is a subject of which I know far too much. It is also an action that takes place far too often for my taste. In the United States alone, over 30,000 individuals each year “successfully” kill themselves. The youngest documented case is that of a five year old child. Yes, I know this is hard to believe, but it is true. Suicide is the number three cause of death for American adolescents ages 15-25. And although more males than females take their own lives, more females make the attempt. Males generally leave via bullets and/or ropes, but recently, females choice of tools has become hanging as opposed to drug over doses.
Suicide is that all too permanent solution to a temporary feeling of helplessness. But in the case of my friend’s brother, the pain had enveloped him for decades. He saw no other way out of the aching in his heart. He attempted to deaden the pain thru self-medicating and drowning in alcohol. In the end, his sense of self had become too diluted to stand stoic. His esteem was squelched and damaged and it seemed impossible that he would ever come up for air again. Down for the fourth or tenth time, he could not rise above his own life mire.
I’ve heard it said that, “he’s at peace now.” I don’t think so. I think the I Am, the consciousness of our whole spirit is still in chaos. Death kills the body, but the spirit is alive infinitely. This is reason enough to finish any loose ends prior to checking out, when at all possible.
Those left behind, the survivors left with such a deep pain of loss, are left with all the “what ifs” and “coulda, shoulda, didn’t,” and “whys”? Trying to make sense of the loss and of the residing anger at the deceased, the survivors take the roller coaster of emotions straight up and unnervingly straight down. Survivors step onto that same train car as crahsed the deceased head first into the pits.
Suicides are on the increase, correlating with homelessness, poverty, and unemployment. Suicides in the Military are also on the increase. This isn’t meant to be a buzz kill or to color your day with darkness. It’s only to spread a little light on a very dark subject.
The media doesn’t want to broadcast public service announcements or cover suicides as they fear the possibilities of “copy cat” suicides. I don’t think the media has much to worry about. Rather, I believe that if the media paid more attention to the good that various support groups are doing, perhaps a few less deaths might take place.
A FREE dowloadable related article by the author of Blessings in the Mire: Suicide Awareness
Blessings in the Mire: A True Story of Miracles & Recollections by Jan Deelstra http://www.buybooksontheweb.com/product.aspx?ISBN=0-7414-3850-X
There’s a lot of good taking place. And there’s a lot to be curious about. What waits just beyond the next curve in the road? After the rocky, may be a smooth trail. And despite the feeling of helpless foreboding, the sun rises again.
Rest in peace Todd. May you stay in the arms of the angels until your pain subsides.
~As always, from Paris with love & light.
Need help? In the U.S. call 1-800-273-8255National Suicide Prevention Lifeline |
OTHER Related articles:
- After a Loved One’s Suicide (everydayhealth.com)
- Depression and Suicide in Old Age (everydayhealth.com)
- Preventing Suicide in Bipolar Children (everydayhealth.com)
- Depression and Suicide – Breaking the Link (everydayhealth.com)
- Primary Physicians May Hold Key to Suicide Prevention (addictionts.com)
- Do YOU need HELP? (javaniamwebb.com)
- When a Loved One Is a Suicide Risk (everydayhealth.com)
- Suicide Awareness (Jan Deelstra)