“The universe took its time on you
Crafted you to offer the world
Something different from everyone else
When you doubt
How you were created
You doubt an energy greater than us both
–irreplaceable”

― Rupi Kaur, The Sun and Her Flowers

As you know (or don’t), September is Suicide Awareness Month. No, it’s not a month dedicated to people commiting self-mutilation and taking their life.  It’s dedicated to help people from finding happiness in self-destruction. To help those who feel like they are all alone in this world. No one should feel like their thoughts or feelings don’t matter. What could be insignificant to you could be someone else’s “Achilles’ heel.”

Support is the most important factor in helping someone going through depression or thoughts of suicide. You support them every step of the way. When they feel like giving up, remind them the reasons why they held on for so long.

I don’t want to see people I know go through the pain alone. From personal experience, I know how pain changes you as a person. Suicide is not a mental illness in itself, but a serious potential outcome of treatable mental disorders that include major depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, substance use disorders, and anxiety disorders like bulimia and anorexia nervosa.

A lot of social media likes to glorify these disorders. Posting pictures of self-inflicted wounds with a caption: “The only way to take away the pain.”  In most cases of suicide, a person doesn’t want to die, they just want the pain to stop and seeing these posts doesn’t help to change their perspective.

Instead of spreading the negative, spread the positive. There is already so much negativity going on in that person’s life, why add to it? Let them know how there is still hope and to not wallow in sadness. Support every step of the way and remember to stay strong, you are loved.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255 for help.