Amid the outbreak of the pandemic, our global anxiety grew. Covid-induced departures of loved ones, rising food and fuel costs, job displacement, financial constraints, increased drug use and overdoses, as well as the shadow of domestic turmoil and ethnic upheaval, have all created a tapestry. It is woven where the threads of suicidal ideation are interwoven. In addition, the sudden onset of homelessness, absence of security, and isolation from loved ones have sewn insecurity into the fabric of our daily lives.
In this circle of difficulties, no one is safe, because we are all trained in the trials of life. When someone takes the irreversible step of suicide, the sudden and jarring departure plunges survivors into a suffocating cocoon of painful grief. In the tumultuous moments of conflict, life's struggle, and war, an air of unanswerable questions clings—a perpetual why, how, and what came to such heartbreaking conclusions.
According to World Health Organization statistics, around 800,000 people worldwide commit suicide each year, a poignant reminder of the battles fought in minds and hearts. This gruesome dance is gendered, with male suicide rates twice as high as females. Even the youth, standing on the brink of life, are caught in the web of their own struggles that form the contrasting backdrop of this troubling reality.
But amidst the depths of despair, resilience emerges as a cry. The human spirit, though broken, remains bent, comforted by the embrace of connection, community and care. The journey from darkness to light begins with one step, a bold reaching out for help. Statistics put this narrative to rest—millions attempt suicide each year, yet millions cling to life, using pain as a bridge to healing rather than a chasm of despair.
The path to healing is not a linear trajectory; The maze of grief is complex and winding. This often leads to the threshold of unanswered questions, where faith becomes intertwined with anger. However, the campaign offers the promise of change, even in the face of the most crushing losses. Each scar becomes a symbol of survival, an imprint of battles fought and lessons learned.
In a nation where suicide is a sad goal, firearms claim lives as quickly as they make headlines, intensifying calls for awareness and intervention. Even veterans, weighed down by the burden of service, are not immune. Their struggle underscores the urgent need for support. Amidst the sea of ​​statistics, individual narratives — 45,979 lives lost, untold depths of pain can be drowned out.
Yet within these stark figures, a reminder resonates – a plea to choose life, to reach out and seize the extended lifeline of hope. For those searching through the wreckage of the storm of suicide, the path forward is paved with compassion, understanding that healing is not a straight line. Within the fragments of the past lie the seeds of a strong future.
In this history of adversity, we must not forget that we are identified not only by our struggles but by the strength of our resilience. While the weight of pain may seem unbearable, it doesn't have to be the end. This is only a chapter, not a concluding verse. The journey from despair to hope is illuminated by courage—the courage to reach out, the courage to speak up, the courage to choose life. In moments of hovering shadow, remember, there is a luminous lifeline ready to guide you through the darkness.
About the Author:
Hilary Valdez is a freelance Writer living in Tokyo, Japan. He is an experienced Mental Health professional and Resiliency Trainer. Valdez is a former Marine and has worked with the military most of his career and most recently worked at Camp Zama as a Master Resiliency Trainer. Valdez now has a private practice and publishes books on social and psychological issues. His books are available on Amazon and for Kindle.
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