Suicide and suicide related news have made headlines and been trending on Twitter. First it was Kate Spade. Then Anthony Bourdain.
Of course outside of those two tragic figures, there are many others, names that aren’t famous, families that want to keep their tragedy private.
This won’t be the most poetic thing I’ve ever written, but I don’t care. Its important, really freakin important.
Celebrity suicides tend to make the news and force us to examine our views, take a look at the mental health system, even if there are no easy fixes. Our intentions are good.
Val Kilmer expressed anger, while expressing his love and admiration for Bourdain.
David Spade wanted us to know how funny his sister-in-law was, even if she didn’t think it was enough.
Rose McGowan posted a tearful rant that captured what many left behind often feel.
Those were some of the celebrity reactions. But the non-celebrities felt it too. Some because of the tragic nature. Some because they’ve been there.
Non-celebs may not have the same audience, but they often feel what our celebrity counterparts feel. Some are angry. Some want people to remember the good.
But how many of us understand suicide?
I don’t, and that is even after working for a hotline. For years. I was trained on what to say, how to save a life. Still, I can’t say I understand it completely.
It is beyond tragic. I had a few other close calls as well, situations that I won’t discuss to respect the privacy of those who were on the fence. Thankfully something saved them even if they once believed that the permanent solution of killing themselves was the answer to what was, at the time, a temporary problem.
No. I’m not minimizing what anyone went through, or is going through now. I would never minimize. I would say that there is always hope, even when it feels like there isn’t.
I will say, adamantly, that there is always someone who is ready to listen.
If you believe that life is not worth living. Call a hotline.
If you think killing yourself is the answer. Call a hotline.
Even if you just need to talk. Call a hotline.
Please. I beg. Call a hotline.
No problem is too small.
Yes. I’m saying that there is always a way out. Always.
Someone I loved dearly killed himself. He is not the only one, nor is he the only one who considered it a solution.
Some that I loved were saved.
They were saved because they called a hotline.
I wish Kate Spade had called a hotline.
I wish Anthony Bourdain had called a hotline.
Maybe things would be different.
Maybe they wouldn’t.
All I know is that suicide is a permanent solution to what could be a temporary problem.
I’m not minimizing anyone’s problems, but there are always solutions, even when it seems like there’s not. Sometimes people just need to hear it from someone else. Sometimes hearing it from someone else is all you need. Call.
Whether it is life beating you up, you getting dealt a hand that includes mental illness, or you just feel like the easiest thing isn’t to be here, please call a hotline.
There are people who are there 24/7 waiting for you, yes, YOU.
There are trained professionals who believe strongly enough that you are worth it that they are volunteering their time to talk you out of killing yourself.
They’re doing that because your life is worth it.
There is no hope left for Kate Spade. There is no hope left for Anthony Bourdain.
You are still here. There is still hope for you.
I won’t bore you with suicide statistics or how they are going up. Instead I will tell you that you are loved. You are worth so much more than you know.
People love you. More people than you realize. It doesn’t matter if you are famous or not. You are worth saving.
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Help is out there.
Call. Please call. If not for you, for those who love you, for those you will leave behind.
(516) 679-1111
1-800-273-8255
Someone is waiting on the other end of those numbers, right now. For you.
Kristen Ferrari 