Suicide

***SUICIDE*** sensitive post

Is there ever any proper way to talk about suicide without people cringing or a million red flags being raised? There’s something about saying even the word that makes people uncomfortable. No wonder people don’t want to ask for help.

Over these last few weeks/months times have been incredibly triggering, distressing and painful. The uncertainty the fear the loss. I know of, spoken to, read of, seen, felt the overwhelming emotions of people spiralling into a darker place, and I dislike people feeling like they are all alone. So this post is important me to and for others to know that I am here, yet also to speak of it so others do and can too.

New Zealand's suicide rates increased in the last year. In the year to June 30, 685 people took their own lives - 17 more than the previous year. In the year 2017 - 2018, the suicide rate was 13.67 deaths per 100,000 people, with even more finishing the year and entering into 2020.

But more than just statistics these are PEOPLE. These are children. These are parents, family friends and classmates, these are people who simply found it hard to breathe in a world that had become destructive to us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Eco Funerals Kumeu was not only built to support those who are grieving from a loss from death, yet to be of support as a ' life advocate’ for those who are are struggling with life, or particular aspects and feel it difficult to converse well initially with the right people, or simply unable to speak vulnerably, to be guided in the right direction.

Mental Health is extremely important to us as a company as it is to the country and we wish to be of support in any way that we can. With each family we guide through the journey of losing a loved one we will contribute well to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand.

Raising awareness and being present and equipped to articulate compassionately well in a moment of despair or uncertainty, or simply responding to a question or emotion you have been struggling with of simply being available in HOLDING SPACE for you, for another person means the world to us, especially when we have come face to face personally with the loss of a loved one through suicide or saved people with allowing time and for them feeling seen, heard and valued when attempting to.

While depression is linked so many people leading to making this decision if I could sit down and have one conversation with every person who becomes another victim of this dark cloud they think they can’t escape this is what I’d say.

••••To the person contemplating suicide••••

I know you don’t think anyone cares. I know you think you are a burden. I know you think everyone’s lives would be easier if you weren’t here. But all of those things you’re telling yourself, all of those thoughts that make you justify actions that will very well be a mistake, it’s not the truth.

And if you follow through with it, you might not live to regret it. But there’s someone who has, a story I had found..

On September 24th, 2000, Kevin Hines jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and he lived to tell about it. “Of thousands who have died on the Golden Gate bridge, I am 1% to have survived…I vividly remember writing my suicide note. People don’t get it, I thought I was a burden to everyone who loved me…I thought no one cared. The reality was everyone cared. I just couldn’t see it. I ran forward using my two hands, I catapulted myself into freefall… What I’m about to say is the exact same thing 19 other Golden Gate bridge survivors have also said. The milasecond my hands left the rail it was an instant regret. I remember thinking no one is going to know I didn’t want to die.”

Understanding the difference between your depressed voice that leads to these suicidal thoughts and your actual voice is vital. There is a difference. The depressed version of who you are when it seems nothing is going your way isn’t the real you. The real you is the person you are on your best days. The real you is the one people love to be around. The person you like when you look in the mirror. The real you is the one who is smiling and happy and laughing even if those days are few and far between.

But suicide isn’t a solution to your problems and it might stop what you are feeling at this moment but all you are doing is taking all of these heavy emotions and passing them onto the people you care most about. You make this choice and you change their entire lives forever. You aren’t a burden. Even with the problems you face and how much they worry, they would rather do that than have to go to your funeral. And after the funeral, all they think of is how they were to blame for all of this. Why didn’t they see the signs? Why didn’t they act accordingly? The pain they feel in your absence will never go away. So while it might seem like you’re solving the problem that is you, you are more of a blessing than you even realize.

The depressed state and the suicidal thoughts and that dark place you go to every night, that you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy isn’t reality. It might feel like it is. And it might feel like you can’t beat this but you can. You’ve beat it every day up to this point.

There is a strength within you that people don’t even realize when they look at you. There is this strength within you, you don’t even realize. But you have to keep fighting. Because beyond these really tough days are better ones.

There are people you haven’t met yet, lives you haven’t changed, experiences that you need to have. And moments you need to be a part of.

So before you act drastically, before you make any rash decisions, I ask you instead of acting accordingly and doing something everyone will regret, go to sleep try to get through another day. And just take it one day at a time. It’s okay to not be okay and to simply do this, with having no two days the same.

Don’t be the empty seat your family wishes wasn’t at Thanksgiving.

Don’t be the Christmas gifts your mum can’t buy.

Don’t be the invite to a wedding that can’t be sent.

Don’t be the day that changes your families lives forever.

Don’t be the birthday they can’t celebrate.

Don’t be the story they choke up explaining to the niece of nephew you didn’t get a chance to meet or you didn’t get a chance to see grow up.

**You are needed. You are wanted. You are loved**

Even on those days, it doesn’t feel like you are alone. You aren’t.

That voice that tells you otherwise is simply lying to you and it’s up to you to determine what you listen to. People’s lives are better because you are here.

They are people who need you here. There are people who need you to keep fighting. I know how hard it is. But you haven’t lost yet.

On the other side of this darkness that plagues you, on the other side of this depression that lies, there’s is light and there is truth and the honest truth is it isn’t your time to go yet because so many people need and love you more than you realize.

It’s isn’t about ridding yourself of depression or suicidal thoughts but learning how to cope with it in a healthy way. You are strong enough to beat this. And when you don’t think you are and those days creep up on you, ask for help because asking for help doesn’t make you weak, it’s the strongest thing you can do.

Some people develop suicidal thoughts early in life and revisit these thoughts when feeling overwhelmed, alone, out of control, or when depression resurfaces. These thoughts can be like a tattered, ugly, worn, old sweater that you put on. Initially, it provides comfort, but then you realize it is scratchy, too hot, and stifling. Ultimately, these thoughts, like the sweater, need to be thrown away so that one can be free and move forward with choosing life.

To prevent suicide, we must be willing and able to talk about it. Talking and asking about suicide doesn’t increase the chance that people will kill themselves. People who are suicidal often feel alone and stuck and can benefit from someone asking them how they are.

So I want for you to know that we are here. We will willingly Hold Space for you, we will see you, we can help in the ways we can and that which we can’t we will be of guidance to who can. Whether I know you or an utter stranger.. my hearts open to be of support in any way you need. All confidential.

Love and light

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