Suicide - a sharp-sounding, acidic word that tends to catch on the throat. A word that is whispered behind closed, bolted doors. A word that is considered so bad that in some places, even coroners hesitate before giving the verdict. Yet clearly ignoring it is not the answer - mental health problems are increasingly on the rise. It's obvious that silence is not the answer, yet the majority of us still choose to say diligently quiet.
We see this everyday: post a cute dog picture or a selfie on social media & it gets loads of likes. Post anything regarding mental health & it tends to get very little attention - people don't even want to be associated with mental health! That's how bad the stigma is - & unfortunately this doesn't seem to be changing.
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Having attempted suicide myself & regularly having to deal with such thoughts, having to deal with the 'mentally ill' stereotype is not something I also want to battle with - yet this is seen as inevitable: to be mentally ill is to be at war with society as well as yourself. I openly say: 'yes, i have tried to kill myself & sometimes i want to try again' & to be met with accusations, rage, denial, discomfort & abuse really does not help!
Of course, I understand it is incredibly hard to talk about mental health - it is more personal & vulnerable than physical health can ever be. The very nature of mental health is the elephant in the corner, covered in silence & looking away - & that is the root of the problem. The biggest lie we often say is 'I'm fine' - I make it a point to ask my friends 'are you sure?!' & I believe we should all do the same. The only way we can battle the stigma is by talking & talking loudly.
I am afraid for the future of mentally ill people: we are loving people living in a politically turbulent era & the future is uncertain for everyone, least of all us. If the world wants to be cruel to us, the least we can do is be kind to each other.
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The nature of mental illnesses are such that we feel we don't deserve kindness & this is detrimentally irrational but such a stigmatized societal reaction exacerbates that feeling. I have been told that if 'you're that depressed, why don't you just kill yourself?' & other horrible things - my brain hates me already & I don't need other people to add to that too! I want mental health problems to be discussed as freely & openly as the weather (although less awkwardly!) & there is only one way in which we can do that: by acceptance.
Accepting who we are & why we hurt. Accepting that people are complex & fallible beings. Accepting that suicide & suicidal thoughts are all too common & accepting that we can - & should - do our best to make a difference.
