This weekend I had the opportunity to support our community in suicide prevention. In November 2013 my best friend lost her Dad, and in July 2008 my Husband lost his brother. I might not have been close with either of them, but I didn't need to be close to them to love & support the ones who suffered such a horrible loss.
Recently with the passing of Robin Williams there has been quite a light shined on suicide & everyone has shared their own opinion on social networks all over. However, it's sad that everyone started talking about it when a celebrity passed, and yet millions of people deal with this loss every single day & some of them are even struggling personally. This happens more often than people think, statistics show suicide takes the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans every year. Although no one makes it a "big deal" until a celebrity does it. Are we really that disrespectful & that naive, or is it just something we don't know is a big deal until everyone is talking about it?
People who share their opinion should also respect the ones who went through it, there is nothing more disrespectful to hear someone's opinion about suicide being selfish or that depression is not a disease. These opinions break my heart and I can only imagine what those who are suffering think when someone says that. I'm done venting but please remember, if you have an opinion about suicide please keep it to yourself because you have no idea who it hurts around you when you say it or post it.
Yes I will miss Robin Williams, but not near as much as my best friend misses her Dad & my Husband misses his brother. I hope you find a community walk in your area. Even if you haven't experienced this in your life, walk for those who have. There is no grief that amounts to grieving a suicidal death, I might not have experienced that grief but I've seen the ones I love grieve.
Yes I will miss Robin Williams, but not near as much as my best friend misses her Dad & my Husband misses his brother. I hope you find a community walk in your area. Even if you haven't experienced this in your life, walk for those who have. There is no grief that amounts to grieving a suicidal death, I might not have experienced that grief but I've seen the ones I love grieve.
I walked with those this weekend who have lost a child, a parent, a relative or a friend to suicide. I walked with those who struggle personally, and those who were there to support suicide prevention. I walked for my husbands brother, and my best friends dad, and I will walk for them next year, and the next, and the next...
"Team Calhoun"
I want to change these statistics, but I can't do it alone. Will you help? Click the pic below to find an "Out of The Darkness" walk near you. Donate, walk, support or do it all. Do something, and invite others to join you in supporting suicide prevention.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi
If you, or someone you know is struggling personally please call 1-800-273-8255.
Tell someone! Please
