There is ALWAYS Another Choice

Robin Williams' death has shocked and upset many people recently.  And rightfully so.  It's so sad to lose anybody - but especially sad when you discover somebody was amazingly distraught that they felt their only course of action was to end their own life.

photo courtesy stopabusecampaign.com

This is not something I would typically post about on this blog.  However, it is a topic that is near and dear to my heart; a topic I feel is brushed under the rug far too often.

I am amazed at the atrocious comments I have seen regarding suicide in the last two weeks.  To say that somebody who commits suicide doesn’t “really love you as much as you thought they did”, or didn’t feel enough “love and/or joy” from others in their life, or didn’t have a grand enough spiritual strength within themselves is horrid.  Not only is it disrespectful of a person whom is no longer living, it is also disrespectful to their families and loved ones. 

Suicide is an awful choice typically made by a person who feels like they are making the absolute best choice they could; a choice that they feel is actually better for their loved ones – no matter how misguided that thought process is.  To tell survivors of suicide that they just weren’t loved enough by their lost one, or that they didn’t bring enough joy to their lost ones life just reopens wounds that never quite heal.  Those loved ones already feel heaping mounds of guilt for something that WAS NOT THEIR FAULT and they will likely feel that guilt for the rest of their lives.  To tell somebody who is battling with life altering depression that they just aren’t “spiritual enough” simply adds to their idea that they are broken beyond repair and adds fuel to the idea that they aren’t meant to continue living.  Comments like these contribute to the awful stigma that surrounds mental illness.  Perhaps if people were more loving and less judgmental, those battling with suicidal thoughts would feel safer to talk about it and in turn, prevent more suicides from taking place.

If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or simply feel that you need somebody to talk to, PLEASE take a quick moment to call 1-800-273-8255 (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline). There is always somebody to lend a listening ear and there is always another choice to make. You are not alone. Suicide is not the answer.