MENTAL HEALTH
CONFESSION
“SUICIDAL FACES”
S
By: Jada Carrington
ome days are truly harder for me to get through than others. Some days I feel extremely low but you never would be able to tell because I'm good at masking how I feel. I'm able to navigate through and do what I need to do, (well on most days). Did you know that a person could look like everything is fine on the outside and still be suicidal? Smiles don't always mean happiness. Sometimes smiles are merely just masks to cover up the pain. Trust me I know, I've been out with my friends and family laughing and smiling on the outside while thinking about killing myself. I've been able to complete a whole days’ worth of work effortlessly without a complaint while still feeling like death. I don’t always have a reason for feeling suicidal. At times it’s just a feeling that comes over me. It can be very hard to explain because many people want concrete explanations and if you don’t have a specific reason, they just assume that you’re just making it up. There is nothing logical about suicide or suicidal thoughts. It isn’t always going to make sense. There isn’t just one particular way to be depressed or suicidal. Some people can be highly functional while some people can be completely crippled by it. Being suicidal doesn't always look like pill bottles, tears or suicide notes and then sometimes it does. Sometimes it looks like your average everyday person. Sometimes it looks like your role model or hero. Sometimes it looks like your friend or family member. Sometimes it looks like your co-worker, boss, teacher, or associates. Sometimes it’s loud and sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it looks like all of those things. Sometimes it looks like you and yes sometimes it even looks like me. That's why it's so important to check up on folks, even the “strong ones” because you never know how someone may be feeling or what they may be going through. My point is, please educate yourself and learn the signs to recognize if someone is suicidal because suicidal thoughts do not discriminate. It can attack any person at any age, at any time.
Check All That Apply... Continuous feelings of sadness; hopelessness Irritable or Anger Vocal outbursts or crying Social withdrawal Difficulty concentrating; grades dropped Increased sensitivity to rejection Low Energy and do not want to participate in extra curriculum activities at school or home. Change in appetite (increased or decreased) Feelings of worthlessness or guilt Thoughts of harming themselves Anxious Change in sleeping in patterns (insomnia or excessive sleeping) Thoughts of death or suicide.
If your child is experiencing these symptoms, please seek help. Depression is Real! and It's Treatable! Make an appointment to rule out any underlying medical issues. (Resources & Numbers pg.3) If there are suicidal thoughts, seek medical attention immediately!
