
1 IN 5 OF US HAVE FELT SUICIDAL. ME TOO
đ¤ This is me when I was suicidal.
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June 21st. A week after my 44th birthday.
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This is also one of the best moments of my life.
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Why?
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My 4 year old son has just grasped my hand tight as we walked our Jack Russell.
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âDaddy, why are you so sad? Itâs ok. I love you.â
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In that moment, all my pain, all my fear and self loathing disappeared for a moment and I burst into tears.
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He hugged me. Such extraordinary empathy from a tiny man. He saw the pain I thought I was hiding.
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It was wonderful for so many reasons.
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To be offered love is the greatest salve. Love saves.
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To see that my son was truly kind, something thatâs incredibly important to me.
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To feel the wisdom of children - unchained my shame, fear, regret or embarrassment. He hasnât learned to bottle it up, like I had.
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That moment in my favourite woods will stay with my forever. The smell of leaves, the feeling of his tiny gripping hand. His kind eyes wanting to help me.
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Fuck me I can barely write this. But I do, because I donât want anyone to feel like I did. To nearly make my wife a widow. My children fatherless. To never having launched FRAHM. No charity money. No messages about seeking help. No jackets.
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Nothing. Just otherâs pain.Â
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You may not have a family like mine. You may feel utterly alone. You never EVER are.
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Feeling suicidal is chemical. It makes you think thereâs no hope. There is.
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Find your thread of hope. It will become a harness as you talk. You must SAY YOUR PAIN.
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Tell your doctor, a counsellor, a friend, a stranger, Campaign Against Living Miserably, whom we support; Samaritans, anyone.
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Get help here:Â FRAHM X CALM
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Just say it. Itâs not shameful. To suffer in silence is a horrific shame. Thank god I stayed.
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Please stay. Please talk. Life can be horrifically tough. But there is beauty all around you. Look for it.
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Love to you.
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Nick