Through my research this weekend, I came upon an interesting story about suicide prevention. The article showcased a young man who was contemplating suicide. Unlike many persons in that state of mind, he reached out to his family and community. The article encouraged all to reach out, and rather than judge, offer support and love to those who might be contemplating or have attempted suicide.
This young man’s family concentrated on telling him how much he was loved and how much they wanted him to stay with them. They shared memories and helped him understand that he had value and worth. His friends and coworkers were also invited to help re-engage him in life.
At the end of the article, the young man states that each day is a challenge and that it takes the people that love him, as well as, counseling, and medicine to keep him engaged and committed to living.
As I read the article, I thought how amazing that this young man reached out to his family before killing himself. The miracle, however, is that his family was able to share their hope for his future. That is what saved him. Through hope, they re-engaged him in life.
I see so many people engaging on social media, ranting about things they do not like and raving over things they champion. I worry though, how many of them actually look deep enough to recognize desperation. Do they think about the effects of their rants upon those who might be compromised and weakened by them? Do they understand that others might delve into the things they have championed and that the outcome might be too severe for recovery? Do they recognize that they can zap the very thread of hope from someone’s heart and push them over their last shred of strength through irresponsible verbiage?
I hope that we all might be able to recognize when others need help as they walk the edge of life or death. I hope that we might be able to take action, as did this young man’s family, to squelch desperation and provide medical and social necessities to keep those we love engaged in hope. I hope that social arbiters evaluate the fallout of their mindless rants and choose to mindfully solicit social elevation rather than throw the last angst in someone else’s ability to survive. Moreover, I truly hope that hope itself is alive, that we can recognize when others need hope to stay alive, and that we will share the miracle of hope to push aside desperation and save those lives.
My name is Tracy Renee Lee. I am a Certified Grief Counselor (GC-C), Managing Funeral Director (FDIC) and owner of Queen City Funeral Home in Queen City, Texas, professional artist, co-founder of the “Mikey Joe Children’s Memorial” and Heaven Sent, Corp, author, and syndicated columnist. I write books, weekly bereavement articles, and Grief BRIEFs related to understanding and coping with grief. I am the American Funeral Director of the Year Runner-Up and recipient of the BBB’s Integrity Award. I deliver powerful messages and motivate survivors toward positive recovery.
It is my life’s work to comfort the bereaved and help them live on.
For additional encouragement, read other articles or watch video “Grief Briefs,” please go to my website at www.MourningCoffee.com.