I Don’t Want to Write About #Suicide for #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

I don’t want to write about suicide
I don’t want the image of her
Clinging onto a chain link fence
Chef’s knife in hand
Chef’s knife inside of her
Looking through the chain link
At kids playing in the park
She mourned the loss of her son
She could not contain her grief
She could not hold on
She had other children
They no longer had a mother
My father no longer had a cousin
I no longer had a cousin once removed
When I was 18
I, too, wanted to kill myself
I thought the world
Better off without me
My family
Better off without me
The emotional pain
Unbearable
A living hell
But I didn’t kill myself
I sought help
I got help
But I was not a mother
Grieving the loss of her son

World Suicide Prevention Day 2017

• Taking a minute can change a life
• No one has to have all the answers
• Resources are available
  • World Suicide Prevention Day 2017 Facebook Event
  • International Association for Suicide Prevention – Resources
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — Chat with Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255
• Finally, if there is anyone you are concerned about, take a minute to check in with them. It could change their life.