Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

So, September is ‘Suicide awareness month’ and the 10th is ‘World Suicide Prevention day’. You may have seen posts, articles, stories etc on the news, social media, and posters. But what does it mean exactly?

The idea is to raise awareness of suicide, attempted suicides, suicidal ideation whatever the reasons are behind it and what lies underneath; mental health and well-being issues, circumstances and trials and attacks from the enemy including oppression and temptation. There are many reasons people may contemplate or carry out suicide. But for each individual the reasons and situations are different.

It’s Personal

Some people believe this to be an act of selfishness. In some ways, it can be. But if we really think about it and open up our minds to the actual thinking behind it, it can only mean that that individual is desperate, at the end of their line of resilience, exhausted, fed up, had enough, and the list goes on.

And, yes, I am speaking from experience. Only one or two people in my whole life know this. I’ve attempted it myself, more than once. But the Lord saved me. He has a purpose for my life and has hope and a future for me and everyone. (Jeremiah 29:11) That’s you too! With me, I was severely depressed and the enemy got in, I listened to him and believed the lies he was saying to me. I believed they were my own thoughts and believed that it would have been better for myself and even others that it was better not to be here.

If you want to ask questions or need to know more, for one reason or another then you’re welcome to email me and arrange to talk.

Or have a read of my testimony in the prologue of Christian Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It is my own story, a testimony, of how I experienced poor mental health and how the Lord helped me overcome it. You can also check out any podcast interviews I’ve had or read a bit on this in The Road to Healing.

I also used to self-harm too. But my point is, that you can never know what someone is going through, most people hide it and don’t actually want anyone to know how they are feeling. But please note, not everyone who self-harms is suicidal and not everyone who is suicidal self-harms. Everyone is different. Hence, the importance of Suicide Awareness Month.

But what I’m trying to say is that anyone, you never know who may be going through depression and challenging times.

But…

these can be overcome.

I hear you ask…How?

Well, for me, first I had to realise my mindset and recognise my feelings and how desperate I had become.

Three Steps of Realisation & Recovery

That is the first step; realisation- it is the beginning of overcoming. And it is OK not to be OK but when it becomes more than that, that is when you need to recognise that it is also OK to get help. In fact, it’s important you do! Read on to find out how and where to get that help.

But, firstly, you need to admit to yourself that you need help. From this, you need to recognise that what you are going through and how you are feeling is not embarrassing or anything to be ashamed of. But you do need to be brave and address this.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

The second step is stepping out of the boat. Reach out to someone you trust, your GP, church leader, or local mental health services; which you can find online (see below).

By taking this step you are on your way to overcoming your fears. The third thing to do is see it through. Go to any counselling or therapy sessions you are offered, keep in contact with that person you trust and most importantly; take, accept and see through any advice and support you’re given.

And then, you will be on your way to recovery.

By no means am I saying any of this is easy. IT IS NOT! But it is the start, and just remember if I can do it (and by the way, I didn’t think I could, I felt so alone and helpless and desperate and just wanted to give up on life, because it felt like there was nothing else I could do, everything was out of my hands and control and it felt like this was the last and only thing I could do. Turns out, I was wrong and by taking these steps I realised it wasn’t the last thing I could do. These steps, were the first thing I could do and it was the beginning, not the end, of the next chapter of my journey) What I’m trying to say: YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

It’s Also Not Personal

This awareness is to realise that anyone could be suffering with their mental health, contemplating suicide. And it’s not always obvious, you just don’t know how someone is feeling, even if they seem happy. That can be a front, a mask. Take Robin Williams, for example. Such a sad story!! You can click on the image below to read more about him.

So, let’s take this ‘Suicide Awareness Month’ and turn it into a lifetime of awareness. We can do this by being kind and aware of others’ feelings and emotions.

Websites and services

1. Samaritains Phone number- 116 123

2. Health in Mind

3. NHS services

4. Rethink

5. Mind

6. Sussex Recovery College

Or type “Mental Health Services in [your area]” into a search engine.

If you need any help, prayers, support or guidance please don’t hesitate to contact me.

In the meantime, I am praying for you.