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Woman’s Last Text Exchange With Friend Before He Took His Own Life Is A Painful Reminder To Take Care Of Our Friends
Every 40 seconds someone commits suicide, and despite multiple high-profile suicide deaths in the past few years, there is still a stigma and lack of education when it comes to conversations about mental health and suicide. This is problematic when it’s time to ask for help or for people to know how to reach out to those suffering from mental problems. One Twitter user, a graduate of Howard University, shared her own experience with this health epidemic, by posting a series of heartbreaking final text messages between her and her friend Shawn before he ultimately took his own life.
Image credits: quagmeijer_
The messages began with her friend asking her about her evening plans to which she responded she was preparing for a big presentation. Shawn then said something that made the girl worry: “I actually needed a friend. I’m kinda in a low place right now,” to which she then asked, “What do you need?” The pair arranged to meet up that evening but when she got to him it was too late.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young people in the U.S ages 15-24 years old and males are four times more likely to take their own lives than females. While sadly the poster was unable to get to her friend in time she did the right thing. The best way to prevent suicides is to know the risk factors, such as depression, and warning signs that include: Excessive sadness and moodiness, sudden calmness, withdrawal, recent trauma, changes in personality, and threatening suicide outright.
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Someone in the comments had a similar story to share
In addition to the photos of these last text messages, the OP later wrote: “My friend committed suicide on Tuesday. He told me he was in a low place and needed to talk. By the time I got to his house, he was gone. Please let this be a reminder to check on your friends. You never know when it will be too late. Rest In Peace, Shawn.”
But others’ wanted to put out a reminder that mental health is more complex than ‘checking on your friends’
Suicidal thoughts are not a mental illness but a potential consequence of other disorders, namely depression. According to WHO “mental health disorders (particularly depression and substance abuse) are associated with more than 90% of all cases of suicide.”
Depression affects 322 million people worldwide and can manifest in sad, lonely, and scared feelings. People exhibiting signs of this disorder should talk to a psychiatrist or psychologist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you or a loved one are having thoughts of self-harm, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.
What do you think ?
Olesia Kovalenko 5 years ago
I had two suicide attempts. I was able to get help. I saved my life and when i look back it was the worst thing that had ever happened. A depressed mind works differently, your solutions to problems are very different from a healthy mind. I wish i hadn't laid my hands on myself, but i did, and all i can do is advocate for mental health. I've experienced acute physical pain, chronic pain but the ultimate worst is mental pain. I had to make it stop and i really thought death would solve it. It doesn't. Only medical and professional help can solve it and inner strength ( and everyone has incredible inner strength)!
Patricia Jensen 5 years ago
Well done good for you for seeking professional help and being strong. Your life is yours again,. Keep it up Thanks for the good advice and motivation.
Load More Replies...
Han 5 years ago
I'm an ex suicide interventionist. Suicide is a medical emergency. If you have even an inkling doubt about someone, ask very directly "I need to know if you're ok? I need to know if you're having thoughts of hurting yourself? Do you have a plan or method in mind?" People who are not intent never mind being asked. People who have intent are, in my experience, honest and feel relieved someone directly asked. If the person has access to means of ending their life and have any kind of plan, tell them you care. Ask where they are. You don't need permission to call emergency services at this point and direct them to the person immediately. We used to trace phone numbers through our state police. Suicide is a temporary idea brought on by a myriad of circumstances and extremely difficult to process emotions and instability of mood. The important thing is to act. If it is yourself feeling suicidal, do not feel ashamed. Call emergency services immediately. They will help and you can survive.
Laura ballam 5 years ago
the other day I was about to kill myself as I Really couldn't take how much I suffer. I sent a message to my best friend who lives several countries away from me, I have no family nearby and I'm pretty much alone. she usually gets really tough when you talk about emotional stuff, thinks its being dramatic. she got how bad I was and she called me and I wouldn't answer and she wouldn't stop, eventually I answered and she talked to me in a way she never had before. In the moment she saved my life. those thoughts aren't gone, and people cannot fly to come to my rescue. someone committing suicide is a way to end their suffering and there is a point where nothing much could help. I did therapy, acupuncture (which actually helped more than therapy), and many other things, but this darkness just never really goes away, nobody's fault!
Patrick Millet 5 years ago
Stay strong! your life is meaningful and important whether you realize it or not at any particular moment. Sending you good thoughts
Load More Replies... Olesia Kovalenko 5 years ago
I had two suicide attempts. I was able to get help. I saved my life and when i look back it was the worst thing that had ever happened. A depressed mind works differently, your solutions to problems are very different from a healthy mind. I wish i hadn't laid my hands on myself, but i did, and all i can do is advocate for mental health. I've experienced acute physical pain, chronic pain but the ultimate worst is mental pain. I had to make it stop and i really thought death would solve it. It doesn't. Only medical and professional help can solve it and inner strength ( and everyone has incredible inner strength)!
Patricia Jensen 5 years ago
Well done good for you for seeking professional help and being strong. Your life is yours again,. Keep it up Thanks for the good advice and motivation.
Load More Replies... Han 5 years ago
I'm an ex suicide interventionist. Suicide is a medical emergency. If you have even an inkling doubt about someone, ask very directly "I need to know if you're ok? I need to know if you're having thoughts of hurting yourself? Do you have a plan or method in mind?" People who are not intent never mind being asked. People who have intent are, in my experience, honest and feel relieved someone directly asked. If the person has access to means of ending their life and have any kind of plan, tell them you care. Ask where they are. You don't need permission to call emergency services at this point and direct them to the person immediately. We used to trace phone numbers through our state police. Suicide is a temporary idea brought on by a myriad of circumstances and extremely difficult to process emotions and instability of mood. The important thing is to act. If it is yourself feeling suicidal, do not feel ashamed. Call emergency services immediately. They will help and you can survive.
Laura ballam 5 years ago
the other day I was about to kill myself as I Really couldn't take how much I suffer. I sent a message to my best friend who lives several countries away from me, I have no family nearby and I'm pretty much alone. she usually gets really tough when you talk about emotional stuff, thinks its being dramatic. she got how bad I was and she called me and I wouldn't answer and she wouldn't stop, eventually I answered and she talked to me in a way she never had before. In the moment she saved my life. those thoughts aren't gone, and people cannot fly to come to my rescue. someone committing suicide is a way to end their suffering and there is a point where nothing much could help. I did therapy, acupuncture (which actually helped more than therapy), and many other things, but this darkness just never really goes away, nobody's fault!
Patrick Millet 5 years ago
Stay strong! your life is meaningful and important whether you realize it or not at any particular moment. Sending you good thoughts
Load More Replies...
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