Your life Counts

When someone commits suicide, it is a double tragedy. Not only does it end life prematurely, but it also has a detrimental effect on the lives of those left behind. Grief, guilt, anger, resentment, and confusion are all traumatising feelings for survivors. Furthermore, the stigma associated with suicide makes it difficult for family members to speak openly about what has occurred. Many people refer to suicide as a "selfish" act because of the devastation it leaves behind. There is a different explanation for anyone who has experienced suicidal pain because of significant depression.

Death is chosen because suffering is so excruciating, so intolerable, that it becomes the most important thing to stop suffering. The agony is exacerbated by the loss of hope. The depressed individual sees no way out. There is nothing to anticipate, no goal to strive for, only the never-ending hell of the eternal present. Suicide prevention will continue to be hampered until there is a general understanding of the nature and causes of this pain.

No Need for Perfection

As a mental health counsellor and therapist, it is my hope to shed light on a serious problem that can affect people from all walks of life. Many of us are raised in cultures that teach us that our flaws should be hidden. We learn that vulnerability is a sign of weakness and that being different is strange. We think it is a mistake to be unique. Even though our flaws are the very substance that reveals who we are meant to be, we want to get rid of them at all costs.

Instead, we create acceptable roles to conform to society's standards, saying and doing things to gain approval while ignoring our suffering and focusing on some unattainable goals. We act as if we are someone we are not. We lose touch with our soul over time and become entranced with our roles in the service of our ego. We are constantly attempting to live up to an unattainable version of ourselves. When we are amid a crisis (which we all face at some point in our lives), everything falls apart.

Worrying About Others

We see it all the time: people with high-powered jobs and material wealth who are unhappy. According to media, Anthony Bourdain, a celebrity chef, author, and travel documentary filmmaker, battled addiction. His suicide was said to have been an impulsive act. No one predicted he would kill himself. People who knew him described him as cultured and pleasant on the outside but impulsive on the inside.

When we serve our roles in life, we can say that letting go of ego roles is not easy; it is more difficult for some than others. As difficult as it may be, we must establish a society in which individuals are empowered to define their own definition of success. Suicides highlight the importance of rethinking and reinterpreting what it means to be successful for each of us.

Reaching for Help

Whatever we are going through is a part of our soul having a human experience. It is a natural part of the human condition. Millions of people suffer from depression, emotional breakdowns, and other mental health issues. Everyone hurts. If you (or someone you know) suffer from depression or a crisis, you are not alone. Medical and therapeutic care can never be substituted.

Lifeline offers free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people in suicidal crisis emotional distress. If there are persistent suicidal and hopeless thoughts, speaking with a therapist or a mental health counsellor becomes necessary. Anyone who is contemplating harming themselves or others has the option of seeking urgent care. Similarly, if you are a family member or friend who has lost a loved one due to suicide, seek support, talk about it, and get the help you need. There is no shame, and you are never alone.