Breaking the silence on suicidal thoughts

How it feels when you pretend being happy around people? You are sitting with a group of people who are enjoying each other’s company. You’re surrounded by joyful people, yet inside, you feel detached, as if no one truly understands or is there for you. The sense of zoning out reflects the emotional disconnect. Well, sometimes it’s okay to feel sad. If a person will always be happy, then no one will value the importance of happiness. But the moment you start developing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it’s crucial to address them seriously.

Understanding Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal Ideation refers to thoughts of suicide or taking your own life. However, there are two kinds of suicidal ideation: passive and active. Passive suicidal ideation occurs when you wish you were dead or that you could die, but you do not formulate a plan to die by suicide. On the other hand, active suicidal ideation, is not only thinking about it but having the intent to die by suicide, including planning how to do it. One of the most important things is that, suicidal thoughts fluctuate. They are known to “wax and wane”, which means thoughts maybe specific, intense and persistent one day, and the next, they could be vague and occur less frequently.

It's important to speak up

Suicidal rates are rising globally, I’m not here to discuss the numbers. Because, numbers alone can’t convey the depth of the situation. What matters is when you feel like harming yourself, it’s necessary to open up. Reaching out to people may feel like immense hurdle. It requires a lot of courage, especially when trust feels fragile. You might fear that sharing what you feel is a weakness. No, doing so is a sign of strength. There is only need to understand the one whom you trust is a genuine connection, even if there is only one person for you it’s enough. If we try to initiate a small conversation with our closed ones, maybe it could make a big difference. Our generation faces unique complexities and challenges, and it’s essential to remember that you are not alone in this vicious circle.

It’s not a joke

Making jokes on such sensitive issue is common and it can have harmful effects. Even if the intention is not to offend, but it could be hurtful to the people who are really suffering mental health challenges. It’s very easy to say that this isn’t a big problem. But think about those who have lost their loved ones to suicide, these words hit harder than we may realize. Next time when you take this issue lightly, consider the impact it could have. And if you’re the one silently suffering, know that there is help, and there are people who care for you.

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