Updated February 26, 2024
Suicide awareness is improving now, but for a long time it was something we didn’t talk about. In fact for some people, it is still something they feel they can’t talk about.
I have experienced suicidal thoughts and have a daughter who has had them as well. It is something that can creep up on you. Sometimes it has a trigger, and sometimes it simply has to do with an imbalance in your body. Regardless of what causes it, it is frightening and something we need to encourage people to talk about.
I am 49 now and deal with some anxiety, but I struggled as a teenager. Socially I was awkward, despite being involved in all the things. I struggled, like many teens do, to figure out where I fit in and what I should do. Social situations got especially bad and at one point I began to get these thoughts: “Would anyone even miss me if I was gone?” “Do I even want to do this anymore?”
I was blessed to have a family that encouraged counseling and a few close friends who showed me love and helped me through. But it was hard, and one of the most difficult parts was the people who thought I was just being dramatic or trying to get attention. The worst was other Christians who just said, “pray about it”. Prayer and a relationship with Christ is helpful, but platitudes are not.
My oldest unfortunately has experienced similar issues. At one point when her anxiety had reached a peak and we were trying to help her through with counseling and medication, she admitted to having suicidal thoughts. I am extremely grateful she spoke up about it so we could help her, but I was TERRIFIED! I would get up several times a night and go into her room to make sure she was ok. The thought that I would wake up to her gone shook me to my core.
She too struggled with people who didn’t understand, and some who frankly didn’t want to try. They brushed her off and said things like, “If you had more faith, you wouldn’t be struggling so much”. It was maddening!
My daughter is now a strong 24-year-old who has learned through counseling and experience how to use her struggles to help others. However, the response from others to both of our situations was not lost on me.
I am a Christian and I absolutely believe God can heal someone. I also believe sometimes He allows us to go through something because he knows it will lead to good things on the other side, and sometimes those bad things happen because He allows for personal choice, both by us and others. But, I also believe we as Christians can make someone’s mental health struggles worse.
I often find myself wondering how we as Christians hope to reach others, when we cannot be kind to each other. You do not have to have had the same experience as someone else to empathize with their struggles. Simply being a listening ear or a hug can make the difference between someone getting the help they need and something horrible happening. Imagine if my daughter hadn’t been able to tell me she was having those thoughts! It is awful to think where we might be now. You don’t have to have the answers to help, but not being judgemental and advocating for someone who needs help can go a long way.
PLEASE if you or a loved one is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, reach out. Counseling can be extraordinarily helpful, plus they can help to determine if you are in need of medication. You matter. God put us all on this earth for a purpose. Please don’t let your mind (or anyone in your life) convince you otherwise.
Do you have a teen who needs support?
In Stark County, Ohio, there is a whole list of resources at https://www.starkhelpcentral.com/crisis/
In Summit County, Ohio, you can find a list of resources through the local NAMI chapter at https://namisummit.org/resources/local-resources/ or https://namisummit.org/crisis-info/please call the US Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
- Nationally, you can call NAMI at 1-800-950-6264, or text HelpLine to 62640, or the US Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
- In Stark County, Ohio, there is a whole list of resources at https://www.starkhelpcentral.com/crisis/
- In Summit County, Ohio, you can find a list of resources through the local NAMI chapter at https://namisummit.org/resources/local-resources/ or https://namisummit.org/crisis-info/please call the US Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
This post was made with my daughter’s permission. 🙂
Denise's Fanciful Function 