User blog comment:UnderAPineapple/Suicide Prevention Day - Sept. 10 (What We Need to Hear)/@comment-26485526-20180911183046

Thank you so much for posting this, Pineapple. I really appreciate this from the bottom of my heart.

As someone that has gone through (and may still be going through) depression (though I haven't been officially diagnosed, I just recognize what I'm feeling), and someone that has had occasional, fleeting suicidal thoughts, it really warms my heart to see posts like this because it is clearly needed. I still deal with anxiety issues on a daily basis and it SUCKS.

Looking at the comments here already, people need to recognize that they are not alone in having these feelings, far from it! But unfortunately, depression and suicide are very much still taboo topics, with the word "suicide" even being full-on censored in some cases! I believe there is a song somewhere where the word "suicidal" was actually changed in the lyrics to "in denial." Stuff like that to avoid "triggering" people or whatever only INCREASES the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness, and it only makes people feel more and more isolated.

In Canada, every January (in addition to World Suicide Prevention Day) we have this thing called "Bell - Let's Talk Day" sponsored by Bell Media corporation to raise money for mental health initiatives. I remember that for every time the "Bell - Let's Talk" image gets "shared" on Facebook, Bell themselves would donate 5 cents.

I do credit Bell and Bell - Let's Talk day for raising awareness of the issue and using their platform for good. But it goes back to what you said about corporations. It is far more genuine coming from a real person, and while the conversation has started, there is a lot more that needs to be done.

I know for myself, my sister has mental health issues and has attempted suicide, and she got the help she needed. I also know someone in my high school that took his own life, and the 8 year anniversary of that is in just under 2 weeks. But for me, I still feel like I'm supposed to be the "healthy one" and the "strong one" and let me tell you, it's fucking exhausting because I can't talk openly about this IRL like I would like to. I would like to get a therapist, but I am waiting at least until I move out of my parents house because I don't want them to know and I don't want to worry them.

I wish too for more Mobile Crisis Units to be created, and if you don't know what those are, that proves my point. A Mobile Crisis Unit is a non-police line that people can call to alert professionals that someone is in danger of taking their own life, and they would rush out to the site to assist that person. People may be reluctant to call 9-1-1 for a variety of reasons when they are scared someone is suicidal, including not trusting the police. But if there was a Mobile Crisis Line available, that could get someone in desperate need of help what they need quickly, even if that is just a professional to talk to.

In closing, once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this, Pineapple. We adore you, and you will always have a place here. Keep being you, buddy. <3