World Suicide Prevention Day

BF25394

The item in the Ten Club newsletter about September 10 being World Suicide Prevention Day reminds me of a sad event that maybe people can take some inspiration from. A few years after I graduated from college, I saw an item in the alumni magazine about a student who had committed suicide... on September 10, 2001. My heart fell as I thought "what if" he had held off on his decision for a day-- or if something or someone had interrupted or intervened-- so that he would have lived long enough to witness the tragic events of the next day and-- maybe, maybe-- it could have been a moment of clarity to put his own suffering into perspective. (And I don't diminish or demean the pain of anyone who makes this choice. I've never attempted suicide or come close to doing so, and can only imagine the kind of pain someone must be in to take this step, but I have had some rough periods of depression when I've wished I were dead. It's also possible that the attacks on September 11 might have only reinforced this kid's view that the world was not a place he wanted to keep living in.)

Anyway, that story has always stuck with me, and I had no idea until today that it took place on World Suicide Prevention Day. If you're feeling depressed or having suicidal thoughts, reach out for help. If you're not comfortable talking to those close to you, call 988.

Don't give up. It gets better. At some point, I realized that, when I was in the depths, it always got better the next day when the sun came up. The darkness didn't necessarily go away entirely, but it got better. I'm glad I'm still here. I would have missed a lot of wonderful things, not least among them 12 Pearl Jam albums and 80 Pearl Jam shows. Dark Matter is so great, you don't want to miss Album 13...

Jcanr20

Good comment. I attempted suicide by train almost six years ago. Lost a leg below the knee for my efforts. Lost my job and then my marriage after that. Suicide sucks. For me, it lurks in the back of my mind every day and it probably always will. If you see someone who has been down or is having a hard time, ask them if they are ok. It could mean the difference between life and death for that person. @BF25394 you make a good point with the Pearl Jam shows and records, I was in a very dark place this last spring but I knew I couldn't do anything crazy until I heard Dark Matter. 

lastexitlondon

I'm sending love and peace to you . 
I know this subject also. 
Keep going and talk to as many people as you can. 
Love rob