I usually write about topics that truly stir something inside my core. Suicide is one of those topics. The main reason is about stigma and a defiant attitude towards the reasons why someone would take their life. I’d like to share with you a story on this subject.

         I used to sit and talk with several friends about subjects that at that time you wouldn’t think teens would speak on. These topics ranged from the usual suspects such as sports up to females.

Then other times a subject would be brought up that all of us would deftly try to both explain and comprehend at the same time. One day someone brought up the subject of suicide and how everyone felt about it.

         Like I’ve mentioned previously, my friends came from all different walks of life, so they all had various takes on it. Some thought it was a combination of emotions and the inability to handle them, and seeing that ending it was the only means to get themselves out of that situation.

Others saw it as a cowards way out, that you not only couldn’t handle what was going on, but you took the easy way out, while putting your family and loved ones in a situation they didn’t ask for.

            As I listened and took note of these conversations, I was formulating my own answer to this exact same question. I noticed that certain responses came predominantly from one group of friends, and the other responses came from the other group of friends.

             I asked each group why they thought or felt like this, the results were astonishing to me especially when, Group 1 said that they were taught that you have to look at everything that person might have been going through in life and that it turns into a disease and they need help to get through.

Group 2 stated that they were taught that “Our kind just doesn’t do that”, no matter how tough the situation is you pull yourself up and get past it. You don’t have time to feel sorry about yourself with all that’s going on in the world

     When I was with Group 1, I asked specifically how we can help those that want help but may not know how to ask. What resources that within our control could we employ to bridge the gap? When I asked Group 2, I wanted to know why they thought their opinions were the correct way.

What if someone in your family was having thoughts of ending it, would you call them a coward. Would you tell that person be strong and get through it no matter what? Then when they commit the act, because they aren’t strong enough, or they felt they couldn’t talk to anyone about it, what/how do you/feel.

I told Group 2, I read a news article, in which a young black male had just broken up with his girlfriend, and after she left to go to her home, he shot himself in the head.

 He couldn’t deal with the fact that she was breaking up with him.  He probably would have confided in family, but had thoughts of being called “weak, soft, and other derogatory terms”.

            The main reason why I asked this question of my friends, is because there was a time not long prior to our discussion that I contemplated suicide. I was lost, had a feeling that the world was crashing around me.

I didn’t have any outlet for my frustration, I wanted/needed to speak to anyone to help me overcome what I was going through. I did get the help I needed and I overcame a rough patch in life.

 I hope that this article will give someone the courage to reach out to a friend, a relative, veteran, even a stranger that maybe going through some personal issues they might not be able to handle.

You could be that bridge between life or death.

Remember, Suicide……Knows no Color, for that matter race, creed, religion or status!!

By

Christian Parker