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I’ve struggled with whether to write this post about suicide prevention. If you’ve been around long, I’m sure you’ve noticed I don’t write many personal things. I’m a private person. The few posts I have written have been fun little stories, nothing serious at all. But I feel this needs to be shared, just in case it helps anyone.
My husband and I lost a very dear friend on May 3, 2015 when he took his own life. I don’t feel that his story is mine to share, so I’ll only say that he was an Iraq War veteran who had been through more personal tragedy in his lifetime than anyone should have to experience in a full 80+ span of years. All of us who knew him well knew that he needed help and begged him to go somewhere or talk to someone or just–anything. But he never would and here we are. He was one of the most deeply kind, generous, and just mischievous people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting and his absence is a loss not only to my husband and me and his other friends but to the world. Kindness feels like it’s in short supply some days.
So I’m writing this to ask that if you need help, please seek it out. There’s no shame in asking for help. Everyone needs assistance getting through something in their lives. If you know someone who needs help, please don’t give up on them.
Here are a few resources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Some employers participate in the confidential Employee Assistance Network. See if your employer offers anything similar.
Veterans can get help at Wounded Warrior Project, or find a facility of the Veteran’s Health Administration.
First responders can find help at Responderstrong.org. My friend also worked in EMS (Emergency Medical Services). My husband does as well. Including our friend, we know probably eight first responders in our fairly small community who committed suicide in two or three years. Please, please reach out.
Members of the LGBTQ community can find help at The Trevor Project and there are lots of resources on the PFLAG website.
I’m sure there are more, but this is a start.
In my friend’s memory, I’m going to keep a link to this page and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on my sidebar for quick reference. I hope none of you ever find yourselves needing this kind of assistance, but if you do, please know that I care and help is out there.
6 Comments
Thank you all for your kind words.
Thank you for the information, Lucy. I've updated my post with your links.
Thank you for sharing about your "dear friend."
Contact USA contact-usa.org/ is another organization that maintains 24-hour crisis hotlines in a network of centers across the US. They are staffed by trained volunteers who undergo a long training process. Their newest service is Lifeline Crisis Chat for those who would prefer to chat with a caring person online. crisischat.org/
Very well said. This is a wonderful way to provide individuals the necessary resources if they need them. I'm glad you decided to write this.
An important message and very well said. This is both a great tribute to your friend's memory and a potential life-saver to others who find themselves overwhelmed and disheartened by what life puts in their way.