When it comes to the issue of suicide many in our society make a
mockery and wonder what would make one commit what may be considered an ‘atrocious’ act. Atrocious many may
consider it but let me tell you what would make someone think that what we have
labelled such is the only 'saviour' in the scheme of things they might be going
through.
Imagine you have had to do the hard job of always doing what
everyone thinks is the best for you. You feel a lack of control and one bad
turn tends to follow the other. In these times the person is so confused and
very frustrated to the point where they read a lot of motivational books and
quotes but you see, when you are sick you need a medical doctor but these
people suffer on the blind side and we hardly think they need help.
Records have shown that there are certain personality types that
are predisposed to falling prey to this but I think you should reconsider your
stance. I can tell you that life overwhelms all of us sometimes. No matter what
personality types we are, there are things that happen that tips us to the edge.
I am reading a book entitled ‘Blue
Genes’ (pun intended) by Paul Meier M.D. He writes about people who suffer
from various chemical imbalance and in his monologue he made mention of ‘outgoing’ persons, likening that to an
American stand-up comedian and actor, Robin Williams. Suffice to say according
to this astute psychologist, Robin Williams was the definition of happiness but
as we speak, such a supposedly loving, carefree, affable, genial character we
see on our television sets committed suicide. So when I say that every one is
predisposed I think we should look around us more often.
I am extremely extroverted, I like to make people happy (some would prefer the cliché happy-go-lucky
breed) but there are times when I feel out of sorts with my own problems and
they drown me to depths that nobody understands. When you mean well and things
get taking unexpected turns. Trust me if you can relate, no amount of
encouragement seems to make you see hope when the reality seems different.
Don't forget during these periods keeping up hope is difficult.
Yes There's Hope!
I know I have painted a bleak picture but like everything else let
me try and hazard a few answers that might help.
1. When dealing with people let's treat them with dignity, adding your rot might be the tipping point for somebody
2. A kind word. Surely clichéd but believe me, make sure you show a little empathy you might never know who you kept alive.
3. Everyday place a call or pay a random visit to a friend who's become missing in action. They may be fighting the battle of their lives
4. Don't always be quick to suggest solutions to everybody's problem. Sometimes your silence and presence does a whole lot.
5. Before you go to bed every night please find time to build a wall of prayer around your friends and family. Believe me parents don't know half of what their children go through and vice-versa but there's an omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent father who can take care of all that we treasure. Remember you can't be everywhere so send the infinite God to be there.
In the same vein, compliments
to the OYV Visionary Project and HeartyLove Foundation among other equally competent focus groups
and organizations for taking up the initiative to sensitize the generation in a
bid to reduce the now-prevalent cases of suicide.
To those
fighting all manner of battles I leave you with something that kept me when I
reach tremendous “low points";
When things go wrong, as they sometimes
will,
When the road
you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the
funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want
to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is
pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you
must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and
turns,
As every one
of us sometimes learns,
And many a
fellow turns about
When he might
have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up
though the pace seems slow -
You may
succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a
faint and faltering man;
Often the
struggler has given up
When he might
have captured the victor's cup;
And he
learned too late when the night came down,
How close he
was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver
tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never
can tell how close you are,
It might be
near when it seems afar;
So stick to
the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when
things seem worst that you must not quit.
- Unknown
#SayNoToSuicide
Written by:
Donn Dogbey
(A Member of
TDL)
Edited by:
Atsu Dogbey
(A Member of
TDL)
