Isolation

One person can help

Depression, Help, Isolation /

While walking down the halls of school to my classes, I would constantly hear people saying rude things about me, like I was a ‘cutter’ or that I dressed weird.

For years and years, this beat down on my self-confidence.  Even when I was with a group of friends, I felt horrible. I spent a lot of classes crying silently or running out of the room. I felt best when I was at my house, without all the drama. Then, one day I had to stay home from school I felt so happy that day. I didn’t have anyone or anything to deal with.  I wanted everyday to be like this, but I couldn’t think of a way to stop going to school, except for killing myself, so I overdosed on drugs. 

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Feed the Spirit

Hope, Isolation, Why? /

How’s Your Spirit?

Probably someone has asked you, “So, how are your spirits”, right? But what does that mean? Are we only talking about your mood? What do spirits have to do with me, anyway?

Spirit can mean different things to different people. Usually it is something that we don’t see or touch, its a sense of something that exists within us, maybe the “alive” part of us. For lots of people, being spiritual means observing rituals, studying religious texts and attending regular services. For others, it might be about the energy that flows in us which helps guide and motivate us.

Perhaps a simple way of defining spirituality is anything you consider meaningful and special. Whether you find it in God, in people, in nature, or in art, it can be a place of lightness and release from every day pressures and pains.

Get to know your spiritual side. It’ll give you a:

  • reassuring belief that you don’t have to know how to control everything
  • sense of purpose and meaning 
  • feeling that you are part of something bigger than yourself
  • way to understand suffering 
  • connection with others 
  • reminder of the good in the world

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Risk Factors

Isolation, Loss, Secrets, Worry /

Risk factors are stressful events, situations or conditions that may increase the likelihood of suicide. Risk factors neither predict nor cause suicide, however, they can affect a person’s ability to cope or to see alternative solutions to their problems. How might the following situations affect a person’s ability to cope?

Risk Factors for Suicide:

  • Mental disorders (mood, anxiety, posttraumatic stress and certain personality disorders)
  • Alcohol or substance abuse
  • One or more prior suicide attempts
  • Easy access to a firearm, pills, other lethal means
  • The suicide of a peer or a suicide cluster in the community
  • Family history of suicide
  • Loss of a loved one or the end of a significant relationship
  • History of trauma or abuse

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