10/13/2017
Tuesday, Oct 10 was World Mental Health Day.
While partnering with patients to conquer their illnesses and diseases, I have observed that many of us struggle with severe depression and suicidal thoughts. We have mastered the art of blending in to society by putting on a fake smile every day. It is the mask that grins but lies---yet all the while, inside we are hurting and our soul cries out for help. We are the seemingly happy neighbors, coworkers and loved ones who smile and wave to you every day.
So when a loved one confides in you that they are feeling overwhelmed---BELIEVE THEM. And don't forget to check on your "strong" friends. SUPERHEROES NEED HEROES TOO but don't know how to ask for help.
Below are a couple of quotes my clients and I exchanged this week:
"The key is in accepting your thoughts, all of them, even the bad ones. Accept thoughts, but don’t become them. Understand, for instance, that having a sad thought, even having a continual succession of sad thoughts, is not the same as being a sad person. You can walk through a storm and feel the wind but you know you are not the wind." -Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive
"Depression is also smaller than you. Always, it is smaller than you, even when it feels vast. It operates within you, you do not operate within it. It may be a dark cloud passing across the sky but - if that is the metaphor - you are the sky. You were there before it. And the cloud can't exist without the sky, but the sky can exist without the cloud." -Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive
National Su***de Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255
1-800-273-TALK
We can all help prevent su***de. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.