Self-Mastery:100 Voices for Suicide Prevention



10th of September 2014, as I lied on the operating table, my mom’s voice echoed on my mind before the anesthesia took effect, “You have been through your worst.” 

I knew she was referring to the depression I had six years ago.

There was a stark contrast between my attitude towards life.

Back then, I wanted to take my own life. I lost all sense of hope. I found no way out. There was no single soul available to hear my silent pleas for help. Sleeping pills and tranquilizers were temporary relief to my disturbed mind. What I remembered most was this constant replay of negativities in my mind. It irked people to hear the same stories repeated over and over again.

The psychiatrist explained the “chemical imbalances” that occurred in my brain and was immediately repaired by medications.

My mom was there~ she helped release the “anger” I had deep inside…

Now, I held on to dear life, praying that the surgery will proceed without complications. 

Jesus, the Way, the TRUTH, the LIFE

14th of September, as I listened to Fr. Barron’s invitation to allow the light to pervade the ‘darkness’ within… I realized that I had created a ticking bomb inside me that took toll on my health. God taught me humility.

 I have been silent for awhile. My journey is known to my intimate friends and those who frequent my blog. 

People would often send me direct messages in Twitter asking for prayers for those contemplating suicide. I have left the front lines to my deacon friend and a psychotherapist who directly communicates with them. And this I say to younger friends who assist in suicide prevention, if you are not equipped, not strong enough ~ then find more creative ways to help. Raising awareness to suicide prevention is one.

And in truth, the key is inside…nobody can open the gateway to LIVE [not merely survive] but you.

Choose life!


-----0-----

I thank Ms. Gabriel Acosta, MSW@USW Community Manager, who invited me to participate in the 100 Voices for Suicide Prevention.

You may also wish to visit Write Tribe to read more posts on #suicideprevention

The 100 Voices Media Kit may be downloaded to raise awareness the whole month of September.

You Matter Campaign is also a very good way to show you care. 
Be a You Matter Ambassador.

Follow these links to see how it works:

http://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/you-matter/

#YouMatter: 60 Ways To Show Someone You Care

Download a Care Card and share.

-----0-----

The Philippines has its own depression and suicide prevention hopelines:

NGF website
(02) 804-HOPE (4673)
0917 558 HOPE (4673)
2919 (toll-free number for all GLOBE and TM subscribers)

Interesting video: 

Popular posts from this blog

Soul Friends

Image
Linking into the 'Blogging and Friends' blog hop at Bongo Is Me and  Living with Food Allergies and Celiac Disease . I met with some friends this day. We've known each other since we were ten and somehow even though two of them already reside in the US, we've managed to communicate all throughout these years. Our traditional lunch at Abe (from L-R: Hazel, Ella, Me, Hazel's parents) 5 May 2012 Sto. Domingo (5 May 2012) Then I went on a date with my childhood friend. I have not visited Him for a while and I longed to see Him (He was waiting for me ). I came home and spent time with my friends online... It was while reading Bonnie's post that I became reminiscent of how my life started in the blogging world. It was January last year when my ARTner and friend for two years in Tagged asked me if I was interested to publish my ideas. I read Fher's blog but made comments on my online journal for discussion. I was a bit hesi
Read more

Be

Image
רָפָה (rapha) Among the days  that I had in June, today is the best I ever have! " Being still and doing nothing are two very different things "    ~Mr. Han, Karate Kid 2010 A fever shook me Monday morning and left me on bed for several days. I grew resistant with the antibiotics I was taking for my tooth infection. The pain kept me awake. Winter breezed in my month of June.  The season covered my heart with snowflakes and revisited the deep sentiments it held for years. It was ' forced ' rest. The Lord knew how agitated I was. So I worked my way through the little sketches of my nieces and took in a drawing assignment from a French buddy. Then I prepared materials for my Saturday classes. It was several days after when I heard Rapha .  It was the second time I heard Him speaking to me in His language. I heard Him say  shub   during Lent three years ago.  I mistook Rapha for Rapha-el . I thought it was my soulmate's name..
Read more

Relationship Status: Attached

Image
part 1 Have you ever 'done' theology? I was amazed by a subject offered in our Religious Science course on "studying and doing theology"...our professors engaged us to live among the poor in the squatters area. It reminded me of the first time I stepped into our mission house...okay, okay...I didn't have to walk barefoot nor sleep on the floor, nor dig out food from the garbage... the thing is, it's so easy to romanticize poverty.  I could do away with less clothes, a non airconditioned room and a tv/radioless area... but when a friend asks me for my webster or my favorite book, or to spare time to listen to a patient after duty hours or to spend less time with my virtual world... it is difficult to let go!  These are my riches...inordinate attachments...   soft addictions  . It's a lot easier living among the poor... but becoming one myself in its real sense is a challenge ... Didn't God Himself, the Word, assume our huma
Read more