**See reader response to Is Suicide Right for Me? after article below.
Very young children are borne with happiness being a neo-natal distinguishing feature. Only until they begin to react within their milieu, through maturation, do they begin to lose their joy and freedom of expression. As they grow and become molded by their interactions with their surroundings, conflict begins to have an effect. It is conflict that blemishes the free spirit of youth. Behavioral problems start to surface and chip away at their well-being and sense of morality.
During adolescence, personality, self-identity, beliefs, self-image, self-esteem and their place in the world etc., start to come into focus. It is at this time that many people start to develop difficulties with the general challenges of living a happy, well-adjusted life. Their general coping skills, which are so very important in dealing with the ups and downs of daily living, may escape them. Life’s problems may often become monolithic to them at times. Perhaps their most basic problems may center on their subjective perception of their own body and personality (self-image) as well as their personal self-worth as viewed by others (self-esteem.)
Self-image and self-esteem can be considered the basis of many difficulties. Without a positive view of one’s self, self-acceptance, love of self and others, creativity, happiness, self-contentment, self-confidence etc., a person is likely to experience problems with daily living. At this time, happiness may have abandoned the individual and escaped. The ground-work has now been laid for the individual to recapture his lost happiness.
The literature is filled with books on happiness and how to go about achieving its capture. Upon review of what has been published concerning happiness, one is struck with how many times biblical scripture and the word “God” are mentioned! The general theme makes it apparent that it is very important to have faith in God in striving for happiness. Even the avowed atheist, Bertrand Russell, was once quoted stating: “Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.”
When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments in Exodus, included in them was Commandment Number Six which stated: “You shall not murder.” This directive from God also included personal murder, i.e. Suicide. It is at this point that one must consider the topic of this essay: “Is Suicide Right For Me?” Before you make the fatal mistake of taking your own life, ask yourself the following questions:
(1) Could I be so depressed, and filled with so much personal disparagement, so as to surrender my God-given immortal soul to an eternity we do not understand?
(2) What would be the fate and grief of those left behind who loved me so very much?
(3) Am I so completely abandoned by my “significant other” and my “support group” that there is no hope left?
(4) Have I made a sedulous effort to seek professional help to find the correct medication, compatible with my system, and adhere religiously to my doctor’s recommendations?
(5) Am I fully aware how vital it is to love God, respect myself, love my neighbor and live the life emblematic of the happy person God meant me to be?
It seems evident that there are resolutions to deal with the fate of self-destruction brought about through suicide. If the individual were able to scuttle “negative self-talk” and replace it with “positive affirmations”, their depression might hopefully start to abate. Granted, there is no easy quick-fix to turn around depressive thoughts into the realm of positive thinking along with a good well balanced self -love. Hopefully you will conclude that: SUICIDE IS NOT RIGHT FOR YOU—or for anybody else for that matter!
Copyright © 2011 Michael Petipren. All Rights Reserved.
Please take a moment to watch the video and listen to Would You Still Do It. This very moving, passionate suicide song for suicide prevention is a reminder that although you may have felt or said I want to die, there is hope no matter how hopeless it seems; there is healing no matter how much it hurts; there are people who really do care and want to help. *If you or someone you know is depressed, suicidal, or engaged in self-destructive behaviors, please get help today. 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. ~Anonymous
READER RESPONSE:
This really covers all the bases - no self-esteem, complete despair, no hope their circumstances will improve, no joy left in life. The caregivers should encourage “baby-steps” (taking one day at a time) as thoughts of the future are frightening (what if things don’t get better) and long-term goals are impossible. Each day completed is a victory in the fight to stay positive. Belief in a loving God and prayer is huge. The sufferer has lost all faith in themselves and their power to solve their problems and needs to believe in a supreme being that is in control of all things and has a plan for us. But the fear of punishment in the afterlife isn’t enough to keep someone from harming themselves. They justify death as relief from immediate suffering (which is the ultimate goal) – and will risk the unknown of death in order to escape the here and now. They just want the pain to stop. Help them to see that they are not alone and that none of us in control of anything. They must understand that we are ALL vulnerable to the stress of life and they are not singled out. The average person seems okay on the outside but if you talk to them, you find out different. Perception is reality but it is often a false reality. They also believe everyone else would be so much better off without them. They see themselves as a burden on their loved ones and on society. Many are afraid to talk about their feelings for fear they will end up medicated in a stress center. My opinion is to continue the daily routine if at all possible – even if it is a struggle. Go to work, go to the grocery store, cook dinner, go to the gym, stay in the world of the living. Those who retreat to their beds with pills don’t get better – they get consumed with loneliness and isolation. Their feelings of failure are magnified with nothing else to get their attention. Giving the person a feeling of being productive is therapeutic for me. Even if you don’t accomplish much – you survived another day – and with each passing day, things can change for the better. (submitted on September 6, 2011 by Anonymous)
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2 comments:
Beauiful - thank you
Beautiful article - thank you
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