Many of us may know of someone who died by suicide. Some of us may even have had thoughts about suicide ourselves. I’ve been in jobs where suicide rates are high, military, law enforcement and now even the clergy. Without knowing the exact number, I believe;
One Suicide is Too Many.
I am taking this phrase as a mantra to launch an attack on the darkness that affects too many of us. In character, I am creating a YOUTUBE channel that will remind people, be a beacon, educate and infotained about suicide.
Digital communities and social media platforms provide important vehicles to express ourselves, find information, and communicate with one another. This is also true for individuals in distress who are potentially suicidal. Too often their posts go unnoticed or not responded to.
I remember reading a Facebook post from a friend a few hours before he killed himself. I never saw it coming. It affected me for months. Using the nickname of Spoon, I will share my guitar journey, make fun of myself and try to be there if someone needs me. While I want to be a great guitarist, I’d rather be a great human being and be there for the one person that follows Spoon.
In reality, there is no single solution to suicide prevention. The factors that influence suicide behaviors are complex and interrelated. Reaching out and building connections is an important way to reduce the risk of suicide. When I remembered what social media is good for, creating a channel to encourage engagement, share information and build relationships was a no-brainer.
I understood how we miss the signals that a person is in crisis. My wife is still recovering. It has been a roller coaster ride that isn’t over. I hate the uncertainty of everything. I hate how my conversations with doctors have been rare. Any information I get is from nurses and those that have experience in similar circumstances. Like I find joy in playing the guitar, I find joy in the prospect of helping another person not quit.
“The only thing more exhausting than being depressed is pretending that you’re not.”
#suicideawareness
#suicide
#suicideprevention
#spoonsays
#love
#mentalhealth
#hope
