In the News...Depression, Suicide, and Seau

Nothing...
by RGG

She was there

And what a place to be

The world so great

So perfect, no flaws

Except her

She feels like a crazed freak

Her parents hate her

She has lost all her friends

And her boyfriend just said goodbye

She doesn’t belong there anymore

The world is too good for her

Things are spinning around her

Her mind is so cluttered

She doesn’t know what to do anymore

She’s not sure she feels anything

She feels like there’s nothing

Nothing

No one cares

She’s not even sure why she cares anymore

She doesn’t think she wants to die

She just isn’t sure she wants to live anymore

-RGG

A person dies from suicide every 15 minutes in the U.S., and an attempt is estimated to be made every 40 seconds. (That’s almost 100 deaths a day due to suicide.) Over 90% of those who have died from suicide had at least one psychiatric illness that was diagnosable and treatable at the time. The most common is depression. Sadly, the rate of suicide is increasing. (American Foundation on Suicide Prevention www.afsp.org)

We are reminded today of how prevalent suicide is in our community by the news of former NFL player Junior Seau’s recent death. Reports state that he was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. He is the third NFL player to have committed suicide in the last year. Reports are saying he more than likely suffered from depression due to an imbalance of brain chemicals.

Suicide is a desperate attempt to get rid of all the pain and suffering. Isolation, despair, and helplessness are over consuming. Death feels like the only way out. They don’t want to die- they just want all the pain to end…

Suicide is hard to talk about. Even as I write this, I find myself struggling for the correct words to say, how to explain the feelings, what to even bring up. Fearful to talk about such a tough topic is normal- but talking about it may stop someone from taking their own life. Just because a suicidal person doesn’t ask for help doesn’t mean that they don’t want it. Please learn and understand the signs and symptoms, and if someone you know is showing signs of depression and suicide, please help them get help. Remember over 90% of those who committed suicide suffered from a diagnosable psychiatric disorder.

Depression is treatable.

For more information- www.afsp.org

A great article shared by the afsp-  http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/may/02/seau-suicide-raises-question-why/

The Feelings of Snow

The storm came without warning. They predicted only an inch or two.

But can we really predict what the day will bring?

As the snow covers the dormant ground, I look around. Everyone is indoors, under warm wool blankets. The animals are hunkered down in their winter homes. The birds haven't left their spots deep in the trees since last night. There aren't any children out playing, not a single dog out rummaging.

The world has stopped.

 

I entered the church and silence remains. The loss is evident. How can someone explain the death of someone so young. Her children hover near her, one last time. Her husband speaks words of love, grief, fear. Tears flow freely.

The snow stops falling...the sun comes out, if only for a little bit. As the light streams through the stain glass windows, the family says their final farewells. Everyone says goodbye.

Today's weather went with the loss of a community member. The snow provided solitude, even while gathering with others. It was a chance to let go, alone.

I feel as though the world stands still when the snow is falling, that life is put on hold for a little while. Nothing moves as every being waits out the storm.That feeling overcame me today as I sat, listening to words of love and loss.

I often use weather like this snow storm to provide additional feelings in my stories or to increase the ones I've already created. The weather around us adds to our emotions and sometimes we don't even realize it. A storm can signify so much. Today it brought peace and solitude, a pause in busy life so that we had the opportunity to stop and remember.

As the snow falls on and off today, I ponder the feelings the snow has created...and wonder what tomorrow may bring.Tomorrow's a new day; the sun is supposed to shine, but today it's snowing; the world has stopped, and I need to say goodbye.