~ Strength and Courage ~
August 25th, 2011 by Holly McMillen
*** Please note: The following blog post may not be suitable for all readers. Please use caution when reading. ***
September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
Amazingly enough… we as a nation are quick to wear the pink ribbon of hope and support for breast cancer patients. And there is nothing wrong with that. Yet, when it comes to the taboo subject of suicide, we tend to hide our faces and avoid the obvious question. Why?
Let me give you a few statistics:
One suicide occurs every 15 minutes, almost 100 suicides per day.
More than a million people attempt to take their own lives each year.
Unemployed persons and veterans are at higher risk. Unemployed persons are four times more likely to report symptoms of mental illness. Male veterans are twice as likely to die by suicide than civilians.
Suicidal tendencies know no age. Last year the number of children under the age of 14 that committed suicide rose dramatically. Senior men are at an especially high risk.
Unfortunately, I was exposed to this epidemic at an early age. I’ve lost two family members and a staggering number of friends to this preventable dilemma.
Now, I don’t think I’d be honest about this very heartbreaking subject if I did not expose myself as well. I began self-mutilating at the age of 8. I was not diagnosed with a mental illness until I was nearly 37 years old. I spent 29 years living in a state of suspended emotions. In September of 1998, I made my first attempt to take my own life. In 2002, I tried again. In December 2008, I made my last attempt.
The most frustrating thing about suicide is that it is completely preventable. The general public needs to be educated on what to look for in the suicidal person’s demeanor. Often times, there are drug and/or alcohol being used. Typically those coping mechanism are only to dull the suicidal person’s fear, insecurities and depression. Yet, those same coping mechanisms exasperate the suicidal thoughts themselves. It is a vicious cycle that makes the victim feel hopeless.
I, honestly, could go on for days on this subject. But right now I just want to expose the naked truths and hopefully break the taboos that we have on talking about the subject. No one needs to feel that their life is worth less than the breath that God breathed into it.
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In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, I will be touching on the subject a few times during the month of September. But, to kick it off, I created this card as a reminder that not all illnesses leave a physical scar.
**The Yellow ribbon signifies Suicide Prevention**
Here are my deets:
Stamps: JustRite Stampers’ Strength and Courage
Colors: Basic Black, Old Olive, Basic Grey, Barely Banana, GP White, Kaisercraft Seaside dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark, Copics
Accessories: 1″ white satin ribbon, pale yellow 1/2 pearls, Fancy Tags two, oval nestabilities, swiss dots embossing folder, dimensionals, sticky tape
** Items highlighted above are provided by Stamp Simply Ribbon Store **
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You can find additional information on the US Dept of Health’s website HERE.
Remember… Listen with your heart. You may save someone’s life.
Hugs!
Holly, this is a beautiful card! Thanks you for sharing about this very important issue. My family has suffered with this same issue for over 80 years. Both my Granny’s siblings & her father took their own lives due to depression and mental illness. Their children and grand children are plagued with this reality and have been robbed of having one they loved so much around for their lives. My own Mom suffers from several mental illnesses but refuses to take medication for it. We pray a lot for her and try to talk to her regularly. At some point we will have to put her in an assisted living and know that they will force the medications on her at that time. You are very brave to talk about this in your own life. I know it cannot have been easy for you growing up with these feelings. Thanks for sharing and I pray that others will read your own story and share with others whom ay be suffering from something similar. With God there is always hope! Blessings to you!
Hey my sweet friend. I am so proud of you for your courage in posting this. Sending you wonderful big hugs.
Your card is just stunning, the subtle distressing and fabulous layers make it just perfect!
Such a beautiful card! It is just gorgeous!!
Thank you for your straightforward comments on such a sensitive topic. I doubt there is a family out there who hasn’t been touched by some form of mental health issue or another. I read in your comments a place of balance you have found, and I am so happy you are now in a healthier place.
Thank you for sharing your story, Holly (((Hugs)))!!! And for bringing attention to this subject that many don’t want to acknowledge or deal with. The stats are very mind blowing and your personal journey speaks volumes to the reality of the issue and society’s need to be educated about symptoms/prevention etc. Wish I lived closer so I could give you a big huge hug in person for sharing your story and to encourage you to seize each day knowing you are walking it hand in hand with Jesus at your side 🙂 You are a special lady and as one of my favorite Verve sentiment says “Speak the truth even if your voice shakes” and you have one that!! Love you!
Your card is fabulous and a wonderful tribute to a great cause!
What a lovely card. This subject should not be taboo. People talk about other health issues but everyone is afraid of this one.
I feel very blessed to have read some of your posts dealing with mental health issues. I’ve only attempted it once. Now I can predict to some degree when it might be coming on again. However, there are some things in life we can’t control, death of a loved one, or loss of any kind tends to trigger me.
Thank you for sharing. I’m available 24/7 if you need to talk.
Holly, thank you so much for this post. I attempted suicide when in grade 9. Thankfully I have had no urge to try again. My husband attempted before I met him. And now we are dealing with my 13 year old daughter. She made her attempt in January. She’s also been cutting. Since that time we have gotten her to the mental health professionals for counselling. She’s also on medication. I really don’t know why I’m telling you all this except that you understand. It’s been a really rough summer. But, I am glad we have Christ in our lives to help us in our time of need. Thanks again for this post.
Holly thank you for speaking up on a sub ject that gets whispered about but never really talked about.
I also appreciate you speaking your story which I believe will help more people than you will know.
The bigger issue is that even in the times we live in people still allow mental illness to be refered to as shameful. Also our mental health systtem in this country is what is really shameful.
I suffered deep depression and was hospitalized in my earlier twentys which I now believe saved my life. I still struggle with depression but manage it with meds. My dh & dd also have struggles of their own. I have lost people to suicide some young some old but all senseless. I ask everyone to reach out to one person today & make a difference. Let’ learn to be kinder to each other. Even if one life is saved we win.
God bless you
Debbie
You’ve done a beautiful job on writing this piece about suicide. It’s a difficult subject to hear, but you spoke with dignity and from the heart.
What a wonderfully written and heartfelt blog post. The card you made is just lovely. I am so glad you are doing well and are educating as you are creating. It is a lovely way to enlighten people. I was just reading about one of my favorite author’s sons who just committed suicide. It was heartbreaking to read. Thank you and also thank you for sharing your art and talent with everyone.
Well said H. Suicide is preventable in most cases, mental health is still not talked about and families are left suffering. Here in Australia we too have the media blackout on most suicide. Just yesterday a Mum here stabbed her 16 year old daughter, killed her then drove to a bridge and leaving her 12 year old son in the car jumped off in front of him during morning traffic. Maybe if she’d had help dealing with her teenage daughter and then with her suicidal thoughts all three could still be living together. We are not taught to deal with daily rejection, anger, financial difficulties, family dispute and work stresses – and at times it feels like all of these happen at once. It’s NOT a failure to ask for help in getting things back under control and into perspective, it’s SMART!