*Advisory:
This article discusses topics of suicide. If you or anyone you know are feeling suicidal, please call 988, or visit your local emergency room, for immediate help. Anyone under 18 is advised to read the following article with a parent, guardian or qualified professional. Veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, and those who know a Veteran in crisis, should call the Veterans Crisis Line for confidential crisis intervention and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at 988 and Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or send a text message to 838255.
Fighting the Feeling Hopelessness
The world, in which we currently live, has seemingly become a hopeless place, for many. There is no doubt that the wars, shortages, inflation, covid-19 pandemic, freak storms attributed to climate change, dangerous political ideologies contributing to civil unrest, domestically and globally, have created a stressful and unstable living environment for almost everyone, especially within the last few years alone. Vulnerable populations, like veterans and civilians with disabilities, impressionable teens, struggling single mothers and the elderly (all from diverse racial backgrounds) have all had their mental health deeply impacted by the current state of affairs.
Until we can work together as a society with specific, productive goals in mind, we can expect most of what we see around us to continue. As a collective entity we should all be willing to compromise and work together to better understand the changes happening all around us. By continuing to refuse to gather and participate in thorough and respectful conversations, society becomes stagnant with the constant culture wars, and as a result we see no real progression. By taking a moment to listen to one another, we can work to create a healthy and balanced society through policies and programs. One should be cautious, though, as to not be so naive that we could expect the world to reach a utopic state in our lifetimes. Instead, we should be willing to accept living in a society that has reached a healthy balance of social and political stability, because when society around is stabilized, and we feel protected by the right laws and leaders, we can focus on the more important things at hand, like our lives and loved ones, and for most, their mental health.
For those who are spiritual and/or religious, the god in which they believe is often portrayed as a Divine being that displays the act of eternal and unconditional love. One could argue that regardless of religious background feelings of love, and the concept behind it, can be given and received by anyone, if allowed. Always remember that creating a support system full of people willing to love you unconditionally is your right. Never allow anyone to make you believe you are not worth more than what YOU believe you are worth. Never allow anybody to physically or verbally abuse you. Never allow anyone make you believe that you are nobody without them, because you are somebody to yourself. If you have considered or are considering taking your own life, why give up on a chance to live your own unique life, especially when there could still be so much for you to offer the world and the support system you have yet to create for yourself?
For anybody trying to reach out to a loved one who may be contemplating suicide, remember that when love is displayed through acts of kindness a person can be reminded of the goodness that still exists on this earth despite the chaos around us or within their personal lives. Let them know you love them and that there is no judgment on your behalf. Most importantly, do not neglect them! Because, if we neglect each other all in the name of self-righteousness, self-pity, or self-centeredness, then love as we know it will cease to exist, thus the Spirit that keeps Divinity alive does, too.
To the distressed reader, please, let others get a chance to know the amazing person that you are! When you come out of the darkness, you will be able to appreciate the fact that you are indeed a survivor! As Courtney Peppernell states in her book, Watering the Soul, "It is in our darkest hour, when our soul feels most broken, that we are our strongest. For in the moments that we feel we cannot go on, we learn we are braver than we ever thought we were."
Stay strong!
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