In honor of Suicide Prevention Month, and for those who are still struggling. Life is hard, but it does get better. You're a fighter and a survivor.
I was suicidal.
I was suicidal and I woke up every morning to go out and play.
I was broken and I put a smile on my face while trying to fix those around me.
I was overwhelmed and I walked into work to do my job day after day.
I was hurting and I was searching for God because someone told me He was the key.
I was exhausted and I was wide awake at night just trying to breathe.
I was stressed and I fought to keep those around me comfortable and alive.
I was crying and I was alone in my room pretending not to grieve.
I was losing and I was holding onto hope that I would somehow survive.
I was suicidal.
And you didn't even notice.
by Katelyn Marie, 9/20/23
In 2014, I was 1 in 275,000. Which is the estimated number of suicide survivors each year.
Worldwide, nearly 800,000 people die by suicide each year, averaging one death every 40 seconds. Suicide is currently the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 15-24 years.
I'm angry that we aren't doing more to prevent this. We aren't given the resources we need. I was on a waitlist for 7 months before I was able to see a therapist this year. 7 months. 212 days. And I wanted to be dead more than half of those.
According to the CDC, to prevent suicide, we need to:
- Improve household financial security
- Stabilize housing
- Reduce access to lethal means
- Create healthy organizational policies and culture
- Reduce substance use
- Cover mental health conditions in health insurance policies
- Increase provider availability
- Provide rapid and remote access to help
- Create safer suicide care
- Promote healthy peer norms
- Engage community members in shared activities
- Support social-emotional learning programs
- Teach parenting skills to improve relationships
- Support resilience through education programs
- Respond to crises
- Plan for safety and follow-up after an attempt
- Provide therapeutic approaches
