05/01/2025
A reminder on this first day of Mental Heath Awareness Month🫂.
Written by Megan Cornish, LICSW
“I want to talk about su***de.
This is something that you have to think about before your brain becomes so unhealthy that it can't see reality anymore - because depression is nefarious.
Depression doesn't let you see things as they are.
So right now, if your brain is well, is the time to make decisions about how you would/will respond to suicidal thoughts.
No one is immune- any of us might be there someday.
Here's what happens:
You get depressed, and you feel trapped.
And through the lens of depression, death seems like the only way out.
But it's not reality.
The absurdity of depression sounds like this: "things are so bad, I can't quit my job, I can't tell my friends, I have no options."
There are always options.
But they're small deaths- quitting a job. Declaring bankruptcy. Checking yourself into a hospital. Trying the new treatments.
Decide now that you're willing to die those small deaths rather than being trapped by depression's lies and choosing su***de.
For me and my partner, it sounds like this:
"I would rather be the only breadwinner than lose you. If you ever feel like you can't cope with work, let me know, and we'll figure it out."
"I would rather take some time in inpatient than take myself away from the kids forever. If I ever feel like I can't go on, I'll let you know, and you can help me get checked in."
We don't talk about this often, but we do talk about it.
Because depressed brains need healthy brains to make decisions for them.
And sometimes, that healthy brain is you, in the past. ❤️
PS I know that depression and su***de is complicated, and there's no magic cure all. But we MUST start normalizing these conversations - and we must start to recognize our need for each other. ❤️❤️ “
***de ***deprevention ***deawarness