Something I read in BD's blog made me stop and take notice. I started out to just email him quietly, but it feels wrong. Those who know me know I'm out-spoken about my Bipolar, because I believe that it's important to make others aware that mental health issues are real and that there's help out there. Misconceptions and lack of information are the enemies.
According to the SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) website, it's a common misconception that someone who speaks about suicide doesn't intend to do it or is only seeking attention. Whether the intention is serious or not this time, this is indicative of a deeper problem, so it's important to always view it seriously. I've had some depressive swings where I've spoken about suicide candidly, considered it, planned it, not talked about it, not done it because it would require more energy than I had to carry it out, etc., ad nauseum. Was I closer to doing it when I wasn't talking about it? Definitely, but part of what comes back to me in those times is what's said to me when I was willing to talk about it. So, what you say to a person in this position is important.
For reference for helping someone online who sounds like they're seriously considering it? Here's a couple of links I hope help.
Suicide Crisis Resources - locate help on the internet if you are feeling suicidal
SAVE - Suicide Prevention
(Hope that helps, BD. You were a good guy to try to help.)
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6 comments:
Thank you for those links Lela.
Really I was at a loss as to what to do last night. The only thing I could think to do was keep them talking and try and get them to talk to someone in RL, someone that would really be there for them in RL, and be able to do something.
It felt like hell knowing that there was nothing to do...but talk.
I will add those links for future reference (and hopefully I will never need them).
I really wish I had known about those things a couple of years ago. Would have saved me several hours of IMs. God that sounds heartless. But really... would have been easier yes x-x
I know it's pretentious to say 'been there, done that' but, really, I've had to do that. Props, BD, for being able to handle it and try to help.
I think you did the best you could, BD. Seriously, any help is good help.
I was really down on myself one day when a friend of mine said some things to me that even now come back at me when I start down that road in my mind. Means a lot even when you don't see it.
And, now, I need to go hug that friend again. :)
Props to you too, C. I know this is a tough thing for anyone to have to help with. I'm glad I posted the links now. :)
sometimes it's easier to unload stuff on someone you know you'll never meet, and yes, sometimes one kind word is enough to sustain you one more day.
nothing is random, you were there for a reason.
Agreed, Heidi. Thank you. :)
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