National Suicide Prevention Month

Hey, everyone. Before we begin, I'd like to invite you to sit back in your most comfortable arm chair or on a plush cushion. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, and out. In, and out. Feel the air as it rushes into your nose, travels down your throat, fills your lungs, and circulates throughout your entire body. Notice its warmth as it returns to the environment around you. Are you aware of the weight of your body? Can you sense your legs on the seat, your hands in your lap, the wispy strands of hair brushing your forehead? Just take a moment to be still, and to be present in the moment. You are alive. It is nothing short of a miracle that you are sitting here, on this ordinary day, breathing in and out. In and out. In and out.

Imagine that with each breath, you are exhaling the bad and inhaling joy. In: think about the joke your best friend texted you today. Out: let go of your anxiety over tomorrow's Calculus test. In: Homecoming is in a few weeks! Out: allow your anger at your little sister evaporate (I mean, she did steal your favorite dress, but in five years, you probably won't remember). And as you sit here, in this moment, on your chair or cushion, try to recognize how beautiful it is. By 'it,' I mean the incredible everythingness of the world. All of the places there are to explore, all of the nature there is to marvel at. The insanely fantastic prospect of meeting new people, of falling in love, and of fighting for what you believe in. The wild, unruly passionate wonder that is life.

Some people have a harder time than others in appreciating the sheer brilliance of being alive, and often, it is not their fault; they've been bullied, have a mental illness, or have suffered some other way. Maybe they are drowning in all of the negative elements of this world, unable to tackle their demons. Slowly, slowly, and then all at once, they sink into hopelessness. They stop looking before they cross the street, and don't worry about counting their pills. And before we know it, they are gone.

It is Suicide Prevention Month, dear reader. Today, we are going to talk about suicide, a word that should not be taboo but is. We are going to discuss coping mechanisms, the reasons that people decide to take their own lives, and what we can do about it. Because everyone deserves a chance to experience and savor the flavors of life.

Once upon a time, my parents had a best friend. I've never met him, but I catch glimpses of him sometimes in our house. I see his old bass guitar, or his picture on the mantle. He had a bright smile and wild, curly hair. Based on the stories I've been told, this friend was quite the character. His sense of humor was unrivaled. But that's really all I know. See, I'll never meet this friend, because years ago, he drove alone into the mountains and hung himself. I can hear the hollowness in my parents' voices as they tell me this, and feel the horror rising like a violent snake inside my own chest. They tell me that after his death, they learned that he was likely bipolar but was very good at masking his pain. His name was Ken and he was 33. It's been seventeen years since he died.

I tell you all this not to sadden you, but to make you aware. Anyone can die from suicide. Suicidal thoughts do not discriminate. This is why we all need to be informed about what to do if a loved one is considering self-harm. It is also crucial that we learn how we can help ourselves if we ever feel so lost, so miserable that it seems there is no other way out.

According to "Suicide and Suicidal Behavior," there are several risk factors that can lead to suicidal feelings. These include "mental illnesses...previous suicide attempts, substance abuse, incarceration, family history of suicide, poor job security or low levels of job satisfaction, history of being abused or witnessing continuous abuse, being diagnosed with a serious medical condition, such as cancer or HIV, being socially isolated or a victim of bullying, [and] being exposed to suicidal behavior." When people are feeling suicidal, they often display warning signs that aren't recognized by the people around them. It is up to the friends and family members of these people to recognize changes in the behavior, attitude, and actions of their loved ones. If someone is "talking about feeling hopeless, talking about having no reason to go on living, making a will or giving away personal possessions, searching for a means of doing personal harm, such as buying a gun, sleeping too much or too little, eating too little or eating too much, resulting in significant weight gain or weight loss, engaging in reckless behaviors, including excessive alcohol or drug consumption, avoiding social interactions with others, expressing rage or intentions to seek revenge, [or] showing signs of anxiousness or agitation," they may be considering, or engaging in, self-harm. Remember to look out for the people in your life, including yourself. You even have an opportunity to assist people you don't know well by ensuring that you are kind to everyone and remain empathetic. Everyone in the world is facing their own monsters, and we need to cheer each other on. Building people up is no mean feat; it's a whole lot easier to belittle one another, or minimize the troubles each human is struggling with. Like Albus Dumbledore once said, "Dark times lies ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right." Don't take the road most traveled; pave your own path of kindness, tolerance, and acceptance. You might just save someone's life.

Often, depression, anxiety, and suicidal feelings stem from stress. The article "Teenage Stress" tells us that today's teens are more stressed than ever before. I wonder why. Perhaps it's because we tend to communicate digitally instead of in real life, or because hours and hours of homework are piled on our shoulders. Or maybe it's all of the soccer practice, piano lessons, theater productions, and debate team meetings we have to attend. Many teens also work, and although two hours a night a the local ice cream shop doesn't sound too excessive, it gets overwhelming. And then there are things like relationships, and not just the romantic ones; it's vital that we remain close with our friends and family. Don't even mention the pressure to complete community service (is volunteer work even volunteer work if you're forced to do it?) and build up strong resumes. It's a miracle that we have time in the day for nine hours of sleep. Just kidding. You probably don't get nine hours of shut eye, either - I do my best, but there is just so much to be done! So, yeah. School's important. Sports are important. But you are more important. In the words of my amazing math teacher, math is important, but screw math if it means you need to take yourself or others. You have to find positive coping mechanisms, everyone. It's not controversial. There needs to be time, even just a few minutes, in your day devoted solely to self-care. Let's explore some ways you can sit back, compose your thoughts, and get in tune with your body and mind.

Positive Coping Skills - Maya's List
- Exercise! Go for a jog, walk the dogs, lift weights, engage in yoga, or dance to your favorite song.
- Eat a healthy snack. No, it's probably not the best idea to binge on ice cream, but a wedge of brie cheese, a few almonds, or a handful of blackberries will certainly do the trick.
- Call a friend. I actually do this one everyday by calling my grandma. It's nice to hear a friendly voice, and you might just receive some excellent advice!
- Sleep. It might actually more valuable for you to get some rest and recharge your brain than it is to cram for the AP Geography test.
- Make lists. Prioritizing is seriously one of the best things in the entire world. It will allow you to plan out your day, stay on top of due dates, and practice your fun handwriting (fake calligraphy, anyone?)
- Have a cup of tea or coffee. I'm a tea girl, but I won't say no to a glass of iced cold brew with cream and monk fruit. Not only do these beverages taste fabulous and have some health benefits, but the act of taking a moment to enjoy a drink will likely help you de-stress.
- Scroll through Pinterest. Technology isn't the best way to reduce stress, but if looking through motivational quotes, recipes, and bullet journal page ideas on Pinterest will make you happy, go for it! My friend likes to do this, but with Instagram. Just don't get so caught up on your phone that you procrastinate. And on that note...

- DON'T PROCRASTINATE! Easier said than done, yes. I mean, Buzzfeed Quizzes are pretty delightful. But if you get your work done before finding out which Disney Princess you are, you'll feel less guilty about the hour you've just spent online. 
- Sit outside. Sometimes, a gentle breeze playing across your face is all you need to relax.
- Read, write, or draw. Stimulating your creativity is not only relaxing, but can be a blast! Coloring books are super duper handy for this reason.

- Meditate. Meditation isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it really does work; according to "12 Science-Based Benefits of Meditation," "Stress reduction is one of the most common reasons people try meditation. One study including over 3,500 adults showed that it lives up to its reputation for stress reduction. Normally, mental and physical stress cause increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This produces many of the harmful effects of stress, such as the release of inflammation-promoting chemicals called cytokines. These effects can disrupt sleep, promote depression and anxiety, increase blood pressure and contribute to fatigue and cloudy thinking... a meditation style called 'mindfulness meditation' reduced the inflammation response caused by stress."

- Express gratitude. Pull out a sheet of paper and start writing everything you are grateful for in your life. Don't think too much, and don't erase anything. Just let your words spill onto the page. I am grateful for green tea, music, dumbbells, etc. How about you?

- Have a good laugh. Does that mean YouTube videos for you, or a conversation with your hilarious three-year old brother? Just laugh, a good, hardy, belly laugh. You'll feel better at once.

Thanks for tuning in, my friends. I know this was a rather lengthy post, but it concerns a topic that deserves to be talked about. If you or a loved one are considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Reach out. Ask for help - I promise, you will get it. You deserve to be here on this Earth, to climb the highest mountains, to swim in the oceans, and to breathe. Today, I am grateful for you.

Take care of yourselves, always. You only have one body, one mind, and one life - let's make sure they are the best they can be.

- Maya

Photo by Alex Iby on Unsplash, Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
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