Stay. Find what you were made for.

Why I support World Suicide Prevention Day

You may have noticed me posting a lot of pictures this month with hashtags #WSPD17 and #iwasmadefor and the phrase “Stay.  Find what you were made for.”  You may have wondered why.

Well, September 10th was World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD).  Lots of organizations took the opportunity to spread awareness about suicide.  One organization doing a lot of good in the world of suicide prevention is To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA).

This year, I joined TWLOHA’s campaign by talking about what I was made for and encouraging others to stay and find what they were made for.  I didn’t want to just talk about it on September 10^th, so I decided to make it a month-long photo series.

Now that September is over, I want to share with you a little bit more about WHY I support World Suicide Prevention Day.

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I support World Suicide Prevention Day because at fifteen, plan A was surviving high school.  Plan B was running away.  Plan C was suicide.  I didn’t actually think plan A was possible.  I almost went through with plan B a number of times.  Although I never got to the point where plan C seemed like the best option, I kept it on the back burner…just in case.

I support World Suicide Prevention Day because I want EVERYONE to know that suicide doesn’t have to be your plan A or B or C.  There is hope.  There is help.

I support World Suicide Prevention Day because I know what I was made for…but I want others to know that they don’t have to have it figured out yet.  They just have to stay until the do.

I support World Suicide Prevention Day because I believe that spreading awareness is the first step to prevention.  We have to talk about it.

Hang on…did you catch that?  Do I need to say it louder?  WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT IT!!

I support World Suicide Prevention Day because there is still a huge stigma around mental health that shouldn’t be there.  I want my future daughters to grow up in a world without that stigma.  Again, talking about it is the first step.

I support World Suicide Prevention Day because I want my friends to know that if they ever need to talk, I’m right here.  There’s no shame in saying “I can’t fight this battle alone anymore.” (Chances are, you’ve been fighting it alone for way too long.  So please, let me help you carry that burden.)

I support World Suicide Prevention Day because I stayed.  And I want you to stay, too.

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If you or someone you know is considering suicide or any other form of self-harm, PLEASE reach out.  The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255

There’s also an online chat feature available here: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx

For more resources on mental health and addiction, make sure to check out www.twloha.com