Let's Talk About It
*Trigger Warning*
Suicide remains one of the most stigmatized topics in our society. The best way to combat this is through awareness and education. I think it is important to understand that suicidal impulses have a unique relationship to Depression and Manic-Depression/Bi-Polar Disorder specifically. This condition is less likely to be circumstantial and remains a danger for those living with the illness. I am so passionate about bringing this topic to light having lost two loved ones to suicide and grappling with it myself.
In order to protect my readers I am going to outsource with a link to an article that will provide guided insight by my favorite author on this topic. The reason for this is to alleviate the pressure of reading something that may upset or trigger the individuals who stumble across this thread. So, if you are comfortable discussing this topic, please share your voice below.
Click here for a greater understanding of this ever important topic:
To Know Suicide: Depression Can Be Treated, but It Takes Competence by Kay Redfield Jamison, Clinical Psychologist and Author living with Bi-Polar Disorder
"Because I teach and write about depression and bipolar illness, I am often asked what is the most important factor in treating bipolar disorder. My answer is competence. Empathy is important, but competence is essential."
Also by Kay Redfield Jamison:
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness
Touched with Fire: Manic Depression and the Artistic Temperament
I completely agree, it seems to be one topic no one wants to speak about... I would feel so much better if people with manic depression would speak out about it! If anyone is like me then when I'm low I'm self harming and I've tried to end my life a number of times, when I'm up I'm fine and look at my self and get very confused on why I did it! Please can we start talking about this, the confusion scares me
@Twiggy23
Absolutely! Thank you for your input on this topic. The thing is, when you start talking about it, it loses its power. Its power for shame, for isolation, and ultimately- fails to perpetuate stigma. Conversation promotes healing. One of my favorite quotes follows.
"I will not set the dinner table and pretend that bad things don't happen." -The L Word
So often I think we are predisposed to silence and self-control. The greatest injustice, I think, is the idea that you are somehow lesser or alone in your suffering. Suffering is universal, part of the human condition. Why then are we not talking about these things?
You're absolutely right that suffering is universal, and that we should be talking about these things. I would be happy to open up discussion about this on 7COT. What do you think?
All my love,
Lee.
Hey there,
I just want you to know that I'm here and I care, and reach out whenever you want to talk about this.
All my love,
Lee.
Thank you for doing this. Really.
All my love,
Lee.
@leeleegrand Thank you so much for your support. We are doing a discussion on mindfulness tonight if you are a Listener and interested in participating. It will be held in The Listener Community Room @10:30pm EST.
It feels like such a taboo! I've attempted to end my life on numerous occasions (the most recent being Sunday :( ) and it's happened whether I'm up or down. It's so hard to controlthis illness because it changes ya know? How does everyone cope after an attempt? Any advice because I'm not doing too well.
@honestTown8777
Thank you so very much for sharing. I'm so sorry you went through that so recently. I agree that it's hard to control this illness.
How do I cope after an attempt? Self-care. Do things that make you happy. Do things that are nice for yourself. Treat yourself with care and compassion. If there's someone who you can confide in, talk about it.
If you ever want to talk, I'm here to listen.
All my love,
Lee.
Thank you so much for even reading, your kindness brought a tear to my eye :) I'll work on things that make me happy this week and hopefully get through it.
Couldn't have said it any better myself. ♡
i'm soooo tired of being BLAMED for my suicide attempts and my mental illness. It's the perfect out for my cowardly ex-husband to use on me when he has to think of me getting to spend time with our son. feeling sad...
I hate how people hold it against me for my mental heath and suicide attempts.
This is something that is so vastly misunderstood. People are often fearful of what they don't understand and sometimes speak out of anger or insecurity as a result. No one likes to feel helpless, especially our loved ones. I encourage you to open this dialogue with friends and family, however difficult. You may be surprised by the reaction. I am deeply sorry that your support systems are not as strong as you'd like. These things take time. For me, it became more about me learning to feel less shame in regard to my illness(es), and how to express myself in a way that was both honest, but not self deprecating. I think we are all inclined to feel shame on these issues, but this is one of the very many lies mental illness can make you believe.
I feel very passionately about the stigma of suicide and how it's a taboo subject in society in general. I volunteer for the UK's oldest listening service - our aim is to see fewer deaths by suicide by providing a telephone, email and text service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Suicide is the largest cause of death for men aged between 20 - 49 in the UK. It's a myth that broaching the subject of suicide on somebody you suspect may be having such feelings will only put ideas in their head. It won't. By giving somebody the opportunity to open up about their feelings, share their troubles and hopefully find alternative solutions.
If only more could be done to destigmatise both mental health and suicide.
Thank you for sharing your voice on this wonderful resource. ♡
*Speaking in the voice of way too many people who have said so many similar things to me....*
"Why are we even talking about this anyway? People who *claim* that they tried to kill themselves are just looking for attention.Don't pay them attention, it just encourages them. Plus, EVERYBODY knows that people who talk about committing suicide never do it anyway!"
Can you believe that there are stupid idiots who actually insist this BS is true?! In the face of unsurmountable evidence to the contrary and just plain common sense and empathy, way too many people manage to hold on to these idiotic lies as true.
Clearly, a whole lot more conversation needs to be openly held until these misconceptions shrivel up and disappear.
Thanks
Late to the discussion, but like other posters, I am actively- even obsessively su-icidal (I know sometimes certain words can be blocked, so just skirting it by the silly spelling)- but when in crisis, or even simply now, when I'm not actively attempting but still wishing on death, I have nowhere to turn. Haven't found a single site on the internet to offer support for those of us who are so low.
The only solutions I get given are to call 999 (I've been to A&E twice, but thanks to the NHS haven't been offered any support) or Samaritans (which makes me worse).
I did openly discuss my various attempts to someone a few days ago, and it was the first time in a while that I spoke to someone who was genuinely shocked by how frank I was- whereas doctors and the like don't even blink
@DepressiveVeggie
This struggle has been so close to my heart lately. I wish I knew what to say, but I know there is nothing.
@blitheSun94
-big hugs-
@DepressiveVeggie
-xoxo-