This post will be a short one. I was listening to the radio, and the recent celebrity suicides were mentioned. A radio host mentioned that it may have been because God wasn't in their lives, or they didn't believe in Him hard enough, because He is life, and He is hope.
That may be true, however, I disagree with this host's viewpoint.
In general, it really upsets me when people who have no experience with certain matters want to put their two cents in. I remember when I had to correct my mother because she said that committing suicide was "just plain selfish". I had to explain to her that at many points in my life, I wanted to commit suicide. I even had a plan and came close to doing it one time.
A suicidal person's mind is very complex. It's more to it than, "Fuck it, I just don't wanna be here," and then eat a gun. When someone is contemplating suicide, (at least from my experience) they feel as though their family, friends and the world would be better off. They feel as though they are a burden. They don't want to talk to others about it because they feel (and again, this is my rationale when I contemplated it) "This person already has issues of their own. Why should I bother them with mine?" I still feel like that to this day. I keep a lot of what I'm going through and a lot of what I'm feeling/thinking to myself.
One, I have trust issues. That's a whole other post in itself. Two, again, I feel that everyone else has their own cross to bear. Why should I inconvenience them with mine? Three, whenever I may mention it, their response is "Pray about it."
Now don't get me wrong. I was brought up as a Methodist. I attend church. I do believe that there is a higher power, however, sometimes it's just not enough. I suffer from a chemical imbalance that has not been healed through the numerous prayers that I've submitted. I do know that what I need to do is seek the counseling of a trained professional.
It's good that you have something to believe in, but don't allow it to blind you to the fact that you may need some professional help. That's people's (and the majority of black folks) answer to everything. I am by no means discrediting the power of prayer or saying that God can't cure it, but I believe that He gives people the talent, endurance and strength to want to help others. Enter counselors and psychologists/psychiatrists.
Now I do believe that religion in addition to professional treatment could possible help those that suffer from mental illness such as myself. I just don't think that religion alone is the answer.
That may be true, however, I disagree with this host's viewpoint.
In general, it really upsets me when people who have no experience with certain matters want to put their two cents in. I remember when I had to correct my mother because she said that committing suicide was "just plain selfish". I had to explain to her that at many points in my life, I wanted to commit suicide. I even had a plan and came close to doing it one time.
A suicidal person's mind is very complex. It's more to it than, "Fuck it, I just don't wanna be here," and then eat a gun. When someone is contemplating suicide, (at least from my experience) they feel as though their family, friends and the world would be better off. They feel as though they are a burden. They don't want to talk to others about it because they feel (and again, this is my rationale when I contemplated it) "This person already has issues of their own. Why should I bother them with mine?" I still feel like that to this day. I keep a lot of what I'm going through and a lot of what I'm feeling/thinking to myself.
One, I have trust issues. That's a whole other post in itself. Two, again, I feel that everyone else has their own cross to bear. Why should I inconvenience them with mine? Three, whenever I may mention it, their response is "Pray about it."
Now don't get me wrong. I was brought up as a Methodist. I attend church. I do believe that there is a higher power, however, sometimes it's just not enough. I suffer from a chemical imbalance that has not been healed through the numerous prayers that I've submitted. I do know that what I need to do is seek the counseling of a trained professional.
It's good that you have something to believe in, but don't allow it to blind you to the fact that you may need some professional help. That's people's (and the majority of black folks) answer to everything. I am by no means discrediting the power of prayer or saying that God can't cure it, but I believe that He gives people the talent, endurance and strength to want to help others. Enter counselors and psychologists/psychiatrists.
Now I do believe that religion in addition to professional treatment could possible help those that suffer from mental illness such as myself. I just don't think that religion alone is the answer.
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