Two shots to the head. Dead. It had been a normal, early morning, slow traffic ride to Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, VA. I had just received a call from an Atlanta number that was not in my contacts. When I answered the call, it was from the mother of someone I had once been very close to. “Are you sitting down?” she started out the conversation with. “Yes.” I responded, not knowing what was going on. Two shots to the head. Dead. Suicide. “She shot herself twice.” Her mother continued, “One shot went through her mouth and out her cheek. The second shot went through her mouth, into her brain, and exited out the back of her head. The second shot was the fatal shot.” I sat at a green light stunned. Horns started blaring. The phone call suddenly seemed to sound very far away. SUICIDE. Let’s talk about it! Suicide does NOT discriminate. It affects all age groups, cultures, and demographics. The end result is death or serious injury. But before it even gets that far it can be stopped. Suicide is preventable. My friend’s mother told me her daughter wrote a note and then she killed herself. It detailed why she was in so much pain and could not bear to continue living that way. A note her mother wished she would have gotten before she took her life. “A suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted. Most people who commit suicide don't want to die—they just want to stop hurting." (HelpGuide.org) The
note revealed many things that my friend’s mother never knew her daughter was struggling with. Depression, drugs, and abuse, were just a few things that my friend could was never able to express to anyone while she was alive. What surprised me was her mother had witnessed her daughter exhibiting irregular behavior before she took her life. Her mother hadn’t acknowledged that behavior as suicidal. She figured her daughter was “strong” and would “deal” with it. She never thought she would take her own life. Learning to recognize the warning signs of suicidal behavior is essential. “If you believe that a friend or family member is suicidal, you can play a role in suicide prevention by pointing out the alternatives, showing that you care, and getting a doctor or psychologist involved. “ (HelpGuide.org) There are many sources, such as HelpGuide.org, Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, and The American Foundation of Suicide Prevention to name a few. They can offer you guidance in how to engage/approach someone you believe may be suicidal. “Suicide is one of those subjects that many of us feel uncomfortable discussing. If you're the one feeling suicidal, you may be afraid that you'll be judged or labeled "crazy" if you open up. Or maybe you're just convinced that no one could possibly understand. It's not much easier for concerned friends and family members, who may hesitate to speak up for fear that they're wrong or
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