Start the Conversation

Mental health concerns always take a backseat in our lives. We all pass through pressures and strains. Be it handling of grief, peer pressure or dealing with our situations and  circumstances, we ignore the feelings we go through.  We ignore the negative self talk, we ignore the suicidal thoughts untill one day they overpower us!

Suicide Prevention Day, is celebrated on September 10th every year. This year is a call to action to  ‘Start the Conversation’. Talking about our innermost fears and challenges is difficult and requires courage and will power.However with persistence and perseverance this obstacle can also be overcome.

The first step is knowing our inner feelings. Understanding our emotions is vital to act on them in the long run. Thus, we need to introspect and see how our moods are changing, how our inner being is feeling everyday. Are you feeling  happy and joyful or are are you experiencing stress and anxiety. Although we may not suffer from a debilitating mental illness maintaining a journal of your inner fears, wants and desires is a great way to declutter your mind and understand it. We can also talk to our friends and close family members about our botherations.

The next step is realising when you are in a downward spiral and need help. Thus, this is where we need to open up. Talk and start the conversation.  Open up to your friends and loved ones or open up to a health care professional or dial the helpline.

You as a person are valuable to the creation to the world and to your loved ones.Suicide leads to destruction of families, a sole breadwinner can destroy the livelihood of his entire family , a mother can destroy the childhood of her children, teenager and adults can lead to grief to their parents and family. Remember a person is never alone. He is a social being and many lives are connected to him.

Yet our mind wants to take us to areas that our heart doesn’t desire. It nudges us slowly. Showing us that we are incapable of dealing with the situations we face. But we fail to realise that we are bigger than the mind, we are more valuable than our mind thinks. Our mind is narrow and incapable of thinking beyond the present circumstances when faced with tough situations it makes us miserable.  Situations change, people change and so does our mindset. We need to persevere the storm and wait for the sun to shine back on to us. Till then holding onto hope with all our might. Read positive books and quotes, and positive transformational stories.

Take the step and speak up. Speak up against the circumstances,  against the negative thoughts seek help and your loved ones will always be grateful for your presence in their lives.

We need to remember, our situations will change, life is a roller coaster of ups and downs. You only need to hold on with all your might.