• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Budget Earth

Living A Happy, Natural Life with Dogs & Other Furry Friends

Looking for something ?

  • Pets
    • Pet Food
      • Dog Food
      • Dog Treats
      • Cat Food
      • Cat Treats
      • Pet Supplements
      • Bowls & Fountains
      • Pet Recipes
    • Pet Toys & Comfort
      • Dog Toys
      • Cat Toys
      • Pet Beds
      • Leashes & Harnesses
      • Pet Clothes
    • Pet Grooming
      • Dog Shampoos & Conditioners
      • Pet Grooming Supplies
    • Pet Education
      • Dog & Cat Potty Training
      • Pet Safety
      • Pet Anxiety
    • Small Animals
      • Small Animal Care
      • Small Animal Products
    • Traveling with Pets
      • Travel Safety
      • Travel Must Haves
    • Pet DIY & Craft Projects
  • Books
    • Fiction
      • Fantasy & Sci-Fi
      • Horror
      • Mystery
      • Thriller
    • Non-Fiction
      • Art Books
      • Biography & Memoir
      • Cookbooks
      • DIY & Craft Books
      • Garden & Plant Books
      • Health Books
      • History
      • Pet Books
      • Self Help Books
    • Children’s Books
  • Tech
    • Technology
  • Kids
    • Baby
    • Toys
    • Children’s Books
  • Food & Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Homemade Recipes
    • Food Collections
    • Healthy Eating
    • Cookbooks
    • Kitchen
    • Food & Drinks
    • Grocery Shopping
  • DIY
    • Crafts & Projects
    • Pet DIY & Craft Projects
    • Homemade Cleaners
  • Health
  • Reviews
    • Hygiene Products
    • Household Cleaners
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Decorating
    • Online Products
    • Learning
    • Gifts
    • Health Products
  • Travel
    • Travel Advice
    • Cincinnati & Greater Cincinnati
    • Vacation Ideas
    • Helpful Travel Items
    • Traveling with Pets
  • Fashion
  • Giveaways
    • Open Giveaways
    • Closed Giveaways
    • Giveaway Winners
  • Home Improvement
  • Printables
  • Saving Money
    • Saving Money Sites
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Health / Why We Need To Learn To Talk About Suicide

Why We Need To Learn To Talk About Suicide

January 29, 2020 by Guest Post

Suicide will continue to kill people as long as it continues to kill conversations.

I personally know six people who have lost their lives to suicide, including my own father. In December 2015 I attempted suicide.

The paramedics rushed me to the hospital where my husband was currently CEO. The doctors saved my life. While in the ICU a nurse informed me that he, being a believing Christian, knew people who killed themselves go to hell. He patted my shoulder and told me I had just escaped damnation. I knew I had not just escaped damnation. What I had escaped was death.

The stigma around suicide and mental illness weren’t only perpetuated by those who knew little about it. Doctors working in that field were equally susceptible to bias, despite their exposure and knowledge.

While I was in the hospital, a leading psychiatrist told my husband, Mitch, to never bring me back to this hospital again. He told my husband it would be better to take me to a hospital where people didn’t know us.

After I got out of the hospital, I saw my neighbors socializing at the end of our block. I knew they must know what happened because it would be hard to miss a blaring ambulance in my driveway and my unconscious body being carried out on a stretcher. As I approached to greet them, the conversation instantly died. Their silence was heartbreaking, and their discomfort all too visible.

These interactions led me to ask myself several questions. If I had suffered a heart attack, would the doctor have asked my husband to never bring me back to that particular hospital because he was the CEO? Or if I had suffered a stroke would the nurse tell me I just escaped damnation? Or if I was diagnosed with cancer would my neighbors be brought to silence in my presence? Any other medical emergency would have been treated without judgment, so why not suicide?

Unfortunately, the mental health stigmas result in people feeling shame for needing and seeking help. Suicidal urges, feelings, and thoughts are an illness no different than any other. Those who struggle with such thoughts and feelings did not ask for them to be there and did nothing to deserve their devastating side effects. And just like someone diagnosed with cancer, a person suffering with suicidal thoughts must fight like hell to stay alive.

Suicide will continue to kill people if it continues to kill conversations. Advances with HIV/AIDS, for example, didn’t happen through silence. Medical breakthroughs happen through frequent and open conversations, even if it’s initially uncomfortable. The support that comes from groups of people willing to talk about the hard things in life can and will save lives.

I bravely stand with the mentally ill. I am a suicide survivor.

About Sonja Wasden
Sonja Wasden, Mental Health Advocate, co-author with her daughter Rachael Siddoway of the book “An Impossible Life – The true story a woman struggle from within” (www.animpossiblelife.com), graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities. She is married and has three children.
Need Help with your Mental Health:
The Federal Communications Commission recently approved a new “988” number for people to call with mental health disturbances.

Ivi Loves Shares so share or pin!



 

Filed Under: Health

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Follow Us on Instagram

susanlbewley

Had to share my cute order from @sugoimart - Box 2 Had to share my cute order from @sugoimart - Box 2 of 2 included 2 Sakura Lucky Bags (all Japan-exclusive items). These bags were 100% worth it & oh so adorable! When this box arrived from #sugoimart it was under pressure from all the items in these two bags. It includes some cute sakura season #Sanrio items #dogplush , tea, soda, beauty items, stationery & more. While there were some duplicate items, not as many as the #SanroiLuckyBag . If you are considering buying this bag - go for it! While I wish the second bag had a plush rather than a #sakura themed toy, I definitely think it was the gamble! #LuckyBag #Sakuraluckybag #Japan #Japanexclusive #HelloKitty #Cute
Had to share my cute order from @sugoimart - Box Had to share my cute order from @sugoimart - Box 1 of 2 included 2 Sanrio Lucky Bags (all Japan-exclusive items). Cute but wish both bags were 100%duplicates. Thought some items would be unique. Only included 1 of bags for pictures since well...duplicates. Thought this would help anyone wanting to get their #sanriobags. #sugoimart #unboxing #hellokitty  #Japan #hellokittylovers #sanrioluckybag #sugoimartluckybag
Just a sleepy Monday. #dogs #lovedogs #dogsofinsta Just a sleepy Monday. #dogs #lovedogs #dogsofinstagram #dogstagram #doglover #dogoftheday #insta_dog #ilovemydog #doglovers #instadogs #dogslife #doggie #doglove #happydog #instagood  #alaskanmalamute  #alaskanmalamuteofinstagram #sleddog #lovemydog #notahusky #puppy #puppiesofinstagram #cute #cutedog #pets #petagram  #prettydog
Did you carob is healthy for dogs? While it may lo Did you carob is healthy for dogs? While it may looks like chocolate, these peanut butter cups are safe for dogs and so easy to make! Check out the recipe on the blog for these Carob Peanut Butter Cups for Dogs! Link in profile!
Someone is being a #turkey with their new @barkbox Someone is being a #turkey with their new @barkbox toy. I think she likes it.
Ivi is a pretty cute dragon too! Ivi is a pretty cute dragon too!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Join Our Email List





Recent Articles

  • Easy Gourd Birdhouse Craft Project
  • Strawberry Peanut Butter Dog Treats
  • Dandelion Cookies Recipe
  • Summer Fun with the PLAYMOBIL Water Park
  • Banana Ginger Dog Treats
  • Do I Need a Portable Air Conditioner?
  • Outdoor Adventures with PLAYMOBIL Horseback Riding Lessons
  • Step By Step Projects for Self-Sufficiency Book Review
  • How to Raise Chickens Book Review
  • First Time Beekeeping Book Review

Current Giveaways

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Easy Gourd Birdhouse Craft Project
  • Strawberry Peanut Butter Dog Treats
  • Dandelion Cookies Recipe
  • Summer Fun with the PLAYMOBIL Water Park
  • Banana Ginger Dog Treats
  • Do I Need a Portable Air Conditioner?
  • Outdoor Adventures with PLAYMOBIL Horseback Riding Lessons

Looking for Something?

Follow Us

Join Our Email List





Privacy Policy | Disclosure | Contact Us
Copyright - Bewley Consulting Corp.