Babies grow up. Our girl is eating solid foods and standing on her own two feet. Our preschooler is coping with tantrums as he learns to control his emotions. As I celebrate their triumphs and ache from their struggles, I comprehend that they will always, always be my babies.
What if something goes horribly wrong and they leave the world before I do? I pray this doesn’t happen.
Unfortunately, three families of teens in the town where I once lived had to deal with this reality within two weeks of each other. Even worse, the deaths were suicides. Parents across the nation deal with such tragedies.
Suicide is not something that goes away. It is a dark shadow with long fingers reaching across generations and social circles.
My friend Dr. Lisa Marotta has outlined some warning signs.Please go to her blog and read about them. What you learn might help save a life. You'll never know if it does.
But it sure beats the alternative.
It's so important for everyone to know there should be no stigma attached to seeking professional help for depression, mania, bipolar disorder, panic, anxiety, existential crises, or any other cause for such self-destructive feelings causing suicidal ideation. If youth see their role models openly discussing or seeking therapy or medical attention, it makes it less of a stigma for them to be open about sharing their feelings.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brandi. Silence about suicide can have deadly implications. I appreciate your support in encouraging people to get informed.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa, for giving us tools.
ReplyDelete