This week is Suicide Prevention Awareness Week.19 years ago, I planned my own death.
Had the plans worked out, it would have actually been 19 years ago today that I took my own life.
Alas, my carefully constructed, well-laid plans were foiled.
When I saw this postcard on PostSecret's site this week, I had to share it. Because it is so very, very true, not only for me, but for many others, as made clear by the response it's gotten.
Remember a while ago when everyone was all about the "six degrees of Kevin Bacon" and such? Did you know that suicide intimately impacts six people, which, when you think about it, means everyone is six people away from knowing someone who has lost their life to suicide.....
Scary. Sad. And preventable.
Among many organizations supporting and promoting prevention awareness, DoSomething has compiled a list of eye-opening facts about suicide.
Always remember, you are who you are, no one can replace you, and the world needs you, no matter what the darkness in your mind tells you.
What a significant post - an important one to read.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you didn't take your life, and can say that I've walked that path also.
You're right - there is so much to live for. The darkness doesn't last forever.
It's nice to know I'm not alone in my world, and that friends "get me" in the blog-o-sphere, cause in the real world, those so-called friends are few and far between. Thanks for the reminder that darkness doesn't last forever, I can always use that one! xoxo
DeleteI'm glad you are still here and I am moved by your honesty and grace.
ReplyDeleteThanks friend!
DeleteThank you for this, and for hanging in there during your darkest moments. You are a blessing to so many. Just this week a friend of a friend of mine took his own life, just weeks after his wife had done the same. Their teenage daughter found his body. I can't imagine the scars that leaves. I pray for her and the rest of the family. My heart breaks for this couple who couldn't see how much they had, how blessed they were. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Let me say thank you once again, for your honesty, your boldness, and most of all for your friendship and presence here in cyberspace.
ReplyDeleteI feel so much for that girl.... suicide is so horrible, yet, so prevalent in so many lives.... Thank YOU Tamara for sticking with me and being my bloggy-buddy in so many ways!
DeleteThank-you for posting this. I for one (among so many others) are so glad that you are still here and I feel blessed for the many ways in which you have significantly touched my life.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you always Purple Dreamer.
xo
Blessings right back to you Kylie-Rose, one of my first bloggy-buddies! oxox
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