* Content warning: mental health; suicide; grief; loss.
It's the holidays. It's the most wonderful time of the year.
And it's also the most difficult time of the year. For so so many people.
So I want to take a moment to speak about the *check on your strong friends* posts, AND the *please talk to me if you need someone to talk to* posts.
Mental illness knows no truths. People die by suicide because mental illness takes control and teaches us to believe the things in our head we cannot seem to question. We can't seem to fight hard enough against.
People do not die by suicide because they don't have loved ones checking on them.
They often DO.
But they just don't have the capacity to feel that is enough. They don't have the energy to keep fighting. They don't believe they deserve to.
I know these types of posts are shared with love. I've shared similar ones myself. This time, though, I remind you. Remind every single one of you.
Please stay.
Stay.
Even if you can't talk to someone in this very moment. Even if you're scared. If you don't know how to let someone help you. Try. See yourself as others see you.
Stay.
If you are in need of support, please call the national suicide and crisis lifeline at 9-8-8.
Stay.
Or text HOME to 741741 for someone to talk to without having to actually speak with your voice.
Stay.
Please let someone see you, hear you, help you.
Please.
Stay.
