You wouldn’t criticise someone of being selfish if they died of cancer or heart disease.
So, why call someone selfish if they commit suicide?
The person doesn’t kill themself of cancer. Just like a person who commits suicide does not kill themself.
Depression kills them.
Do you think the person you know and love wants to leave those s/he knows and loves? To cause them pain and sorrow beyond measure.
Imagine that person in happier times. When they felt normal. Happy even. Do you think they would consider it then? Of course not. It’s pretty absurd to even think it.
How dark must it be in the mind of someone who wants to commit suicide for them to consider it a viable option to ease their suffering?
I am writing this to hopefully help destigmatise mental illness. And also to encourage people who are suffering to try and speak up and ask for help. Whether that be to a friend or family member, your GP or community mental health care unit. (Yes, they have them.) Suicide is the biggest killer of men in the UK under the age of 45.
And also to ask people who don’t suffer from mental illness to try and be a bit more understanding. If you think someone you know is suffering from depression, or at risk of suicide, ask them if there’s anything you can do to help. But, please don’t tell them to pull their socks up and get on with it. They’ll probably back off sharper than a hermit crab.
A person who commits suicide isn’t trying to hurt you. They are trying to stop their pain. To stop the disease in their brain.
If you need help try these links. And remember, if things get so bad and you can’t wait, go to A&E they will treat you just like any other patient and get you the care you need.
ARC (Local to Stockport only)
David Milligan-Croft
Thereisnocavalry 