• 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 Leave a Comment

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

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Follow Us on Instagram

susanlbewley

While the holidays may be going differently this y While the holidays may be going differently this year, it doesn't mean we have to stop family traditions as we prep for a #stayathome #newyears! #KrogerHolidays #contest #complimentary @krogerco @Influenster
Anyone else still have some holiday spirit? Anyone else still have some holiday spirit?
Someone is all tuckered out on her @bigbarkerusa Someone is all tuckered out on her @bigbarkerusa  bed. Seems the #Christmas @barkbox wore her out. 😆🤣
Ivi absolutely loves her Arcadia Trail Harness. Th Ivi absolutely loves her Arcadia Trail Harness. This compact harness has everything we need for on the go, including pouches for snacks, her potty bags, and even reinforced hooks for walks and car rides. 

#ArcadiaTrail #complimentary @Influenster @petsmart
Always remember, there is light after every storm. Always remember, there is light after every storm. #rainbow #nature #beauty #kentucky #weareinthistogether #florenceky #2020vision #2020
MOM!!! I do Not approve of the new house guest. I MOM!!! I do Not approve of the new house guest. I want treats too!!!!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Join Our Email List





Recent Articles

  • Low Calorie Greek Yogurt Biscuit Recipe
  • 15 DIY Gifts for Coffee Lovers
  • DIY Mint Bath Salts with Printable Tags
  • 10 Best Santa Cookie Recipes
  • 15 DIY Handmade Christmas Ornaments
  • Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags
  • 12 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes
  • Do Big Barker’s Orthopedic Dog Beds Work? New Pilot Study Says Yes!
  • 5 Benefits of Switching to a Paperless Office—It’s Not Just About Searching
  • A Family Guide to Terrariums for Kids Book Review

Current Giveaways

Footer

Recent Posts

  • Low Calorie Greek Yogurt Biscuit Recipe
  • 15 DIY Gifts for Coffee Lovers
  • DIY Mint Bath Salts with Printable Tags
  • 10 Best Santa Cookie Recipes
  • 15 DIY Handmade Christmas Ornaments
  • Free Printable Christmas Gift Tags
  • 12 Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

Looking for Something?

Follow Us

Join Our Email List





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

Psst - we wanted to let you know this site uses cookies to make your user experience better. If you keep using this site, you accept these terms. Learn More In Our Privacy Policy