When it comes to suicide, people are quick to say "There's a better way" -- or worse: There was a better way. The words "coward" and "selfish" are often used to describe suicidal individuals, typically more so of those who make the attempt rather than those that succeed. A faux-pas I suppose to speak ill of the dead.
The problem is, for people facing depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide, sometimes there just seems to be no better way. For a person facing years, or decades, of unresolvable and incurable pain and suffering, the idea of being free in death from constant and utter agony is viewed as sweet relief. Selfishness does not abound here. Selfishness.. is the family and friends who disrespected these individuals in the first place, without the proper love, care, attention, and basic human dignity that they always deserved, in all mental states.
Selfish.. is for the people that ignored all the warning signs that it was coming. Though I'll admit, there are not always warning signs; however, I have seen my fair share of self-centered individuals place their own egocentric view of life above the mental health issues of others, that's for sure.
Similar to gangrene or cancer, once it has come so far, there is no turning back. Once the gangrenous infection of the limb moves on to poison the blood stream... you will die. Once the cancer has progressed too far... you will die. Prior to these points in times, it's true: Perhaps there are other ways, there are treatment attempts (but no sure-fire cures, as cancer and other things), and better options.
But there comes a point in time in the lives of each and every person facing thoughts and feelings of suicide, when the poison has gone to far.. when they finally find themselves facing the toughest question of their entire lives: Is there no longer a better way?
I don't speak to condone suicide.
I speak to bring a voice to the people who are unable to speak for themselves.
So that they can have the respect they deserve, yet not afford to them by the majority of the population.
The problem is, for people facing depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide, sometimes there just seems to be no better way. For a person facing years, or decades, of unresolvable and incurable pain and suffering, the idea of being free in death from constant and utter agony is viewed as sweet relief. Selfishness does not abound here. Selfishness.. is the family and friends who disrespected these individuals in the first place, without the proper love, care, attention, and basic human dignity that they always deserved, in all mental states.
Selfish.. is for the people that ignored all the warning signs that it was coming. Though I'll admit, there are not always warning signs; however, I have seen my fair share of self-centered individuals place their own egocentric view of life above the mental health issues of others, that's for sure.
Similar to gangrene or cancer, once it has come so far, there is no turning back. Once the gangrenous infection of the limb moves on to poison the blood stream... you will die. Once the cancer has progressed too far... you will die. Prior to these points in times, it's true: Perhaps there are other ways, there are treatment attempts (but no sure-fire cures, as cancer and other things), and better options.
But there comes a point in time in the lives of each and every person facing thoughts and feelings of suicide, when the poison has gone to far.. when they finally find themselves facing the toughest question of their entire lives: Is there no longer a better way?
I don't speak to condone suicide.
I speak to bring a voice to the people who are unable to speak for themselves.
So that they can have the respect they deserve, yet not afford to them by the majority of the population.
