Suicide prevention – Stop the Stigma

Dementia, Mental Health, Stigma Talks, video

A word about World Suicide Prevention Day

Posted on 2017/09/102019/08/14 by Tournesol

Another glorious day, he thought, looking out the window when he pulled his thick drapes in his studio. Shuffling to the kitchen to make his coffee, the same thoughts come flooding his mind.

“Yep, today, I need to get out. I need to pump air in the tires of my bike and get off my butt and greet the world!!” He snickers at that thought, picking up his laptop and sits in the darkness of his studio apartment. He knows he will probably not go out…again. He will probably not do much but sit, read the feeds on social media and try to distract the gnawing voices in his head that weigh so heavily on his spirit…

Sound familiar? Been there, you are thinking, bobbing your head? If you know someone may be going through something like that, send them a friendly text…just a heart or two maybe…tell them they matter before it’s too late.

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD).

[…It is estimated that each day in Canada, 11 people end their life and 210 make a suicide attempt.”] read more here -SuicidePrevention

Suicide is very inclusive. Did you know that? It includes anyone regardless of age, culture and socio-economic status. A person can be loved by friends and family, have good grades in school or college, have a great job and still become another tragic statistic.

So today, think of something you can do for WorldSuicidePreventionDay (WSPD)…like the link says above , take just one minute to do something…share a story, an awareness post, call a friend, text a friend…just one minute.

I am ending with a song that has saved many lives. My friend, Sue, shared this song in memory of her son, Adam.

©Cheryl-Lynn Roberts 2017/09/10

CMHA – Canadian Mental Health Association

Canadian Crisis Centres – resources and helplines

National Suicide Hotline – U.S.A.

Kids Help Phone – Canada

Child Helplines around the world

“Adam’s Song”

I never thought I’d die alone
I laughed the loudest who’d have known?
I trace the cord back to the wall
No wonder it was never plugged in at all
I took my time, I hurried up
The choice was mine I didn’t think enough
I’m too depressed to go on
You’ll be sorry when I’m gone

[Chorus:]
I never conquered, rarely came
16 just held such better days
Days when I still felt alive
We couldn’t wait to get outside
The world was wide, too late to try
The tour was over we’d survived
I couldn’t wait till I got home
To pass the time in my room alone

I never thought I’d die alone
Another six months I’ll be unknown
Give all my things to all my friends
You’ll never step foot in my room again
You’ll close it off, board it up
Remember the time that I spilled the cup
Of apple juice in the hall
Please tell mom this is not her fault

I never conquered, rarely came
But tomorrow holds such better days
Days when I can still feel alive
When I can’t wait to get outside
The world is wide, the time goes by
The tour is over, I’ve survived
I can’t wait till I get home
To pass the time in my room alone

Did you know?, Mental Health

Suicide Prevention week Feb 2 to 8th – Québec

Posted on 2014/02/05 by Tournesol

February 2 to 8^th is national suicide month here in Quebec. Then I read somewhere else that it is also the month of love yourself. How odd to have both the same month and yet, is it that odd? If we loved our self enough, would we be so filled with despair? I am not minimizing depression or any other mental health condition but still…You sort of wonder, eh? Love yourself.

I have been hearing more and more youths who talk about how they don’t like themselves…how they seem to be their worst enemy. The difference with youths today, they are doing something about it. Yes, some are actually reaching out.

Do you remember when YOU were a teen if you thought of asking for support because you t yourself down, because you didn’t like your voice, your hips, your height, your complexion? Truly, now! No cheating! How many thought that was actually important to your own wellbeing?

Now if you are as old as I am, raised in the 1960 and 1970’s self-esteem was not even a word, was it? It was not until 1976 that so many experts wrote about this like Nathaniel Brandon, Virginia Satir and Wayne Dyer. Of course there are many other authors but those are the few that put a dent into self-improvement…starting to look at the self…within, that darn inner child…That may sound like a cliché but frankly, I still feel it is relevant. Don’t you?

So if you were raised in the 1980’s chances are your parents focused a lot more on phrases like “inner child” and “self-esteem”. After that, honestly, so many other authors regurgitated the original writers of the mid 1970’s. Yes, I am that old!

If you are in Quebec, here is the Suicide Prevention provincial number: 1-866-277-3553 or 1-866-APPELLE February 2 to 8th Association Québécoise de la Prévention du Suicide.

Re-blogs

A Police Officer and a Suicidal Man

Posted on 2013/09/232013/09/23 by Tournesol

I love happy endings too sometimes 🙂

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Stigma Talks

blink-182 – Adam’s Song

Posted on 2013/09/22 by Tournesol

A poignant message and amazing song that is still relative today…

blink-182 – Adam’s Song

Did you know?, Stigma Talks

Light a candle tonight 8:00 PM – World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10th

Posted on 2013/09/102013/09/10 by Tournesol

On my way to work today, I was thinking of the many things I want to share related to mental health, parenting, youths, school life and I asked myself, «Why not add a post weekly or more often, and discuss one issue more in depth? » Today, I am simply posting a very important message and reminder for those who already are familiar with World Suicide Prevention Day and the candle vigil. It`s coming up so quickly and it is an important message.

Mental illness is something we are finally talking more and more about and it`s about time! The main reason, of course, is to allow “society” (youths, all adults as well as professionals) to hear the message loud and clear that mental health is as important as physical health. That does not sound much like a complex theory by the way, does it? But it is still perceived so differently. {sigh}

I suppose the media is helping even though their main goal may be to sell more newspapers, increase viewers or listeners but still, admittedly, it helps A LOT! Suicide is reported too often for me to feel comfortable, however. It makes me feel we have failed as a society, as professionals in the helping field…but that is an emotional reaction and not a rational afterthought.

On Tuesday, September 10^th it is World Suicide Prevention Day. It is an international candle ceremony that will be taking place all over the world, in homes and on line. For some it will be their way of remembering a loved one and friends who are survivors of suicide.

I am including a newsletter that was posted on Facebook on the page of Kids Help Phone. A very important message!

Kids Help Phone shared the following link with this newsletter on suicide and youths. Kindly read further. There are important tips for adults, professionals and mostly parents and friends of someone you may think has suicidal ideations.

What keeps youth from talking about suicide?

In Focus – September 2013 – Kids Help Phone

Here are some links you may find helpful.

Allow me to share a brief story on the importance of sharing resources:

A young boy, teen, called thinking seriously of suicide. He had been depressed for quite some time and he had a plan. After talking for quite some time, he began feeling there just “may” be hope. At the end of the call, I asked him how he heard about the phone service. “Oh, a buddy of mine slipped a tab from a Smarties box in my pocket without my knowing. I just happened to find it tonight.” (Youth line is printed on most Nestlé products). So if you have a helpful link or resource to share with a friend, DO IT, you just never know how important that action could be…may even save a life and in the very least, offer hope. Blessings.