Trigger Warning: Self harm, Suicide
Poetry is a common coping mechanism for many people struggling with emotional instability. It is also used as secret cry for help. I have been struggling with seasonal depression for four years now. Recently, I posted a poem that I wrote describing the feelings I have when the winter season rolls around. In this poem, a singular stanza described a scene in which I take my own life. Reactions were different from what I was expecting.
While people complimented me on my writing (which was appreciated), my problems are not up for discussion for other people’s entertainment. It is always important to know that each case of depression is owned by an individual, and that each case has it’s own specific complications and cannot be handled the same as the last. The truth is, people open up for many reasons. For some, it is a conquering feeling to be able to write about the problems that tend to plague ones life. Some do it gain help from friends or family, while others do it because they are on the verge of losing any handle they have on their emotional stability, which can lead to self harm or suicide.
Depression is a topic that is often under-discussed and misunderstood. It is something that teenagers and unprofessional adults shouldn’t try to tackle on their own. If you see someone who publicly opens up about their depression here’s what you should do:
First off, take it seriously. Depression is not a joke. Make sure the person knows that they are seen, felt, and heard. Loneliness is the quickest thing to take over and eat away at someone’s mind. Nothing can touch a person’s heart more than someone close to them showing how much they care. The best thing one can do is simply to be a friend. Simply say hi when you see them can make a difference. Remember to trust boundaries and to work gently not to put the person your’e concerned about under a microscope. Being made to feel that you are an outsider because of your struggle with depression is extremely painful. Having something feel normal in your life can be valuable to a person struggling with depression, so just be there for them.
Depression is an illness that someone is diagnosed with. It is not something to be taken lightly or to be used as a joke. People who don’t have a mental illness need to stop with the “someone kill me please” or the “XYZ makes me want to kill my self” posts. Someone’s struggle is never to be exploited to be entertainment for those who don’t go through it.
The National Suicide Hotline Number: 1-800-273-8255
