One of our Anti-Stigma Ambassadors kindly chose to share their story and personal experience with suicide, to help us raise awareness and break down stigma this World Suicide Prevention Day.
Background – triggers and feelings
It was situational, I had a lot of bad situations all happening at once. The trigger had been a stressful day at work and then this carried onto a home situation, etc. I felt no relief whatsoever.
My feelings were of being unable to cope with the situation I found myself in any longer. I felt overwhelmed and lost, not knowing where to go.
What Happened Next – Actions and Help
I attempted to take an overdose. When my partner realised what I had done and rushed me to hospital where I received help. When I have suicidal feelings, I have learned to speak about how I am feeling. My most recent time was when I was in the car on my way to going to the school. I spoke to a member of staff, and they encouraged me to go to my doctor to get help, which I did. I find it is best for me to go to safe places and connect with people. Not to use negative coping mechanisms which for me is staying in the house and isolating myself.
Moving Forward Positively – what helps me
Having an understanding of the positive coping mechanisms for me including the safe places I can go to. I have now done Suicide Prevention training, and I now understand the cycle of why I feel that way and when I know to seek help. I do believe that more needs to be done around feelings, which is why I am speaking out and sharing my experience. Feelings should be shared.
How I am feeling/coping now – Creating hope for myself and others
I have support from my GP, the GP lead mental health team, the Employee Assistance Team from work where I access a therapist and work itself. I think back at what I would have lost if I had been successful in taking my own life. I am supporting my family and others through my work and within my community to be the successful person I am, I am learning to be more confident and to believe in myself and I do what I can to help others be the same. There was a good quote from the training that I would like to share with you.
“Suicide is best understood not so much as a movement towards death as it is a movement away from something Intolerable, pain or unacceptable anguish. Reduce the level of suffering and the individual will choose to live” –Schneidman - 1993.
What message would you like to give to others who may be struggling?
Your mental health does not define you.
Set goals however small, do not give up! Because as we fail, we learn how to succeed.
Always reach out for support when needed.
Never be afraid to try new things.
If nothing changes you will get the same result.
I am a big Disney fan and in Pooh’s words:
“You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”