Life is Beautiful

I stared, stunned, at the news articles about Anthony Bourdain, and at the Kate Spade bag hanging in Mom's closet. We have lost so many people to suicide; I think it is high time we bring up a topic that is both difficult and crucial to talk about. According to the article "Suicide Statistics," "The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that each year approximately one million people die from suicide, which represents a global mortality rate of 16 people per 100,000 or one death every 40 seconds. It is predicted that by 2020 the rate of death will increase to one every 20 seconds." Can you believe that? Unfortunately, I can.

Let's put things into perspective - I'm fourteen. I know people my same age who are suicidal and who have tried to commit suicide. In fact, I've had to report someone to a counselor because of their insistence that the world would be better off without them. It was absolutely tormenting. I want to cry every time I think about it. There are girls at school with scars on their forearms and wrists and thighs. I even have a cousin who has inflicted self harm because his depression had gone too long untreated. 

I fervently believe that suicide should not be a taboo. It should not be considered disgraceful or a plea for attention. Suicide is an sign that something is gravely wrong in a person's life, and is an extraordinarily pressing matter. It is literally life or death. The article "Suicide" elaborates "most people who die by suicide have a mental or emotional disorder. The most common underlying disorder is depression, 30% to 70% of suicide victims suffer from major depression or bipolar (manic-depressive) disorder." What is almost worse is that these victims could have been saved. They could have been saved. We could have helped them, if only we were able to recognize the flashing lights telling us something wasn't right: "Eight out of ten people considering suicide give some sign of their intentions.  People who talk about suicide, threaten suicide, or call suicide crisis centers are 30 times more likely than average to kill themselves" ("Suicide"). 

Life isn't easy, for any of us. There are horrible days, ones in which you feel like sinking in the sea of your own sorrow. There are beautiful days, ones where the sun sparkles and you feel like wishing on coins and tossing them into your well of well-being. Then there are the ones in between. But no matter the day, you are here on this Earth, and there are mountains to climb and dreams to conquer and songs to play on the guitar. You are never alone. Yes, you feel alone sometimes; we all do. But someone is there. Someone wants to listen. I want to listen. I want to help. Put your hand over you heart. Do you hear it beating? Thump, thump. Thump, thump. That heart, your heart, is the result of generations of hard work and pain and labor. You are the product of love and fantasies turned into fact. You have a purpose. Feeling suicidal isn't selfish. It isn't stupid. But there is hope. There is a bright, shining sun hiding behind the rain clouds, and it is coming for you, my friend. There is love. There are festivals, and loud music, and graduations. There are family dinners and marriages and children. Sports, art, adventure. Brightly colored birds and sunflowers and blue skies. There is joy.

So don't stop wearing seat belts or looking both ways before you cross the street. Don't stop counting pills and don't start counting your days. Count the reasons why you are important. Count the things that make you special, and things you are grateful for. Imagine the opportunities and possibilities your future holds. Life is beautiful. Mind you, sometimes it hides behind layers of darkness and decay, but at its core, life is beautiful. You are worth it. Remember that the semicolon, my very favorite punctuation mark, is where a sentence could have been ended, but it wasn't. 

Mental Health America's website provides us with a list of suicide warning signs:

• "Verbal suicide threats such as, 'You’d be better off without me.' or 'Maybe I won’t be around'

• Expressions of hopelessness and helplessness

• Previous suicide attempts

• Daring or risk-taking behavior

• Personality changes

• Depression

• Giving away prized possessions

• Lack of interest in future plans"

If you think that someone you know is considering suicide, you need to act. It is hard to speak up, but you could save a life. Show that person you care, and ask if they want to talk about it; it is vital that you display your willingness to help. Make sure to contact a trusted adult so that the person considering self harm or suicide is able to receive professional assistance. Do not judge. If you or someone who you know is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Anyone, from any background imaginable, can be suicidal. Be the one to help, and the one to extend a hand of friendship. We need more kindness on Earth.

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"It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn. Maybe that’s enlightenment enough: to know that there is no final resting place of the mind; no moment of smug clarity. Perhaps wisdom … is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go."
 - Anthony Bourdain

"In order to lead a fascinating life, one brimming with art, music, intrigue, and romance, you must surround yourself with precisely those things." - Kate Spade

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." - Anne Frank
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Remember that every flower has grown from the dirt. Your story isn't over yet.
With love, friendship, kindness, and hope,
Maya

Photo by kilarov zaneit on Unsplash, Photo by Rochelle Brown on Unsplash,
Photo by William Stitt on Unsplash,Photo by Tiago Muraro on Unsplash,
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