TRUTH:
- Every 13.3 minutes, someone in the world ends their life via suicide.
- An average of 6 people are effected by the death of someone who commits suicide.
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death, worldwide.
- More women attempt suicide, but more men complete suicide.
- 9 out of every 10 people who commit suicide have a mental health diagnosis.
- Only 3 of those 10 ever received treatment for their mental health issues.
MYTH:
- Talking about suicide increases the chances for someone contemplating suicide to follow through.
- Suicide is a coward's way out of their problems.
- People who commit suicide are weak individuals.
- Once a person commits suicide, other people will take their place in life.
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. This day is perhaps one of the most important in my career. I've worked with countless numbers of individuals who have considered, planned, and acted on completing suicide. I am so very grateful to have had an opportunity to work with them, for them allowing me into their vulnerable lives, and offer a ray of hope.
For anyone who is struggling now with thoughts or feelings of suicide, you are not alone and there is help available. Dozens of organizations have been developed around the world to provide assistance... a voice to calm you, an ear to listen, material to read, a lifeline to help.
One of my favorite organizations is To Write Love On Her Arms, which is beyond incredible in providing education, assistance, and hope to those struggling with self-harm and suicidal thoughts. They developed the "No One Can Play Your Part" campaign (which is the source of my image above), which speaks to the myth that people struggling with suicide often think that they are replaceable... that people will be better off and move on once they are gone.
The National Suicide Hotline is another resource... {800} 273-TALK... where a trained counselor will talk to ANYONE about issues related to suicide, specifically providing support to those contemplating death by suicide.
The truth about today is that suicide does not have to happen. I know that people considering suicide believe that suicide will end all misery in their lives, but by doing so they will never have an opportunity to have anything improve. No one can play your part. Everyone is important.
Spread the love.
Here are some more links to helpful websites:
http://www.save.org
http://www.afsp.org/
http://www.activeminds.org/
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
I've read a lot of controversy over this quote lately. Some people really like it... as if we need to take care of our needs first, and others come after that. And that if we all take care of our needs first and then give to others next, we will all be fulfilled. Others don't like this quote because it speaks to selfishness and being self-absorbed, giving thought to the importance of giving to others and being selfless.
When I see these words, I'm reminded of the importance of self-care.
The importance of not giving only to others without reserving some of "you" for you.
The importance of other people respecting you and your time, commitments, and love.
When we put others first in our lives and deny ourselves the things that we need, we are letting people know that it's okay to take advantage of us. But when we set limits and boundaries with ourselves and others, we let them know that it's important to respect us. We're letting them know that we're open to helping, but not at the expense of ourselves.
When we are respectful of ourselves and put ourselves first, we're also expressing self-love. Which is more important than anything else. When we respect ourselves, others will respect us too.
There are times when life is difficult.
When you may feel as though you can't keep fighting.
You are struggling. Feeling as though you can't keep your head above water.
Like you are drowning.
Let me throw you a lifesaver.
Grab on and hold tight.
You cannot be replaced.
No one in this world is like you... for better or worse.
No one can smile like you. Laugh like you.
No one tells stories like you do (no matter how awkward they might come out).
No one can provide encouragement to others like you (even if you feel like anyone ever encourages you).
No one has that same twinkle in their eye like you do (even if you can't remember the last time it happened).
You cannot be replaced.
Don't think that giving up is easier than fighting.
Fighting can be difficult, but it's worth it when you get to the other side.
Become a hero to your own life, not a victim to it.
You cannot be replaced.
"Creatives only need to care about impressing clients. When sharing work with supporters, the negativity flitters away..." - Jasmine Star, photographer
One of the myths that people have about therapists is that they have it all together. Let me break that down for you... we don't. :) We still struggle. We still have feelings and thoughts that consume us. We still need coping skills to help us get through the day. One of the coping skills that I developed as a love of photography. Along my journey in photography, I discovered Jasmine Star who is an incredible photographer out of California. Jasmine writes a blog in order to share her clients' images and stories, and I love that after I finish reading a blog entry from her I feel connected... to her clients, and to her. I also love that Jasmine is real. Real in identifying her own struggles and hesitations in life.
Yesterday, Jasmine posted about not focusing on the negative comments of other people about our work as artists. Which got me thinking about being a therapist and trying to keep up with others in the profession... comparing my caseload to that of others... hearing criticism from people in the industry. At times, it can be a bit overwhelming.
When I get caught up in the stress of therapy life, I need to remember that the only thing that truly matters is how my clients feel. How they feel in my office, the compassion that I show, and the listening ear that I extend to them. All that matters is my ability to assist them in moving toward their goals. What matters is how THEY feel about my therapy. Not other people.
Even if you're not an artist (or a therapist, for that matter), I think this lesson applies to everyone. Truly, we need to only care about the people in our lives who support us. Who believe in what we do. When we shift our focus to those who lift us up, the negativity disappears.
Comparison is the death of joy, according to Mark Twain. I'm thinking that he's right.
I know I've talked about comparing ourselves to other people here before, but this quote struck me and reminded me of some recent conversations with clients.
When we're not where we want to be in life, it's really easy to start comparing ourselves to others. To think that we should be different than we are, to desire so much to be out of our situation and more like others that we see around us. The truth, however, is that everyone is struggling in some aspect of their lives. It's just that some people hide it better than others. If you're not a good hider, you might seem more vulnerable than others. But don't let that fool you.
When it comes to wanting to be better, or different, than you are right now think about it this way... the only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday. You are never going to be able to wave a magic wand and be instantly different. You aren't going to wake up tomorrow morning and be completely changed. Being better than who you were yesterday (whether it involves taking better care of your body, taking better care of the people you care about, being more mindful of the way you speak to yourself) is the only way to make changes. Just one step at a time. Just one moment at a time.
Have patience with who you are. Embrace your capability to change. But just be better than who you were yesterday.
