Tim Mitchell

Suicide. It's world suicide prevention day and month so I hope you spare this post a little time whether you struggle or not. Suicide is the counter intuitive desire or need to short circuit the most human desire. The desire to live. Many of you struggle and over 15 years of posting here I've posted my suicidal ideation, and brutal truth of wanting, needing to end my life. And I receive emails of your stories wanting the same at times. 2 years ago I had a full breakdown. Train platforms multiple times a day, bridges, thinking 24/7 of ways to make it quick. The most terrifying months of my life. I ran instead. A blessed relief and way out that literally saved my life alongside friends, family and therapy. Wanting to die isn't normal. For anyone. Ever. It is ghe most serious red flag that identifies that person as very ill and in need of urgent and serious help. The NHS is wonderful but the coffers as we know are empty and mental health support is creaking at a time when ur should be providing basic talking therapy, ongoing support and meditation if necessary. So many people are taking their life because of a lack of support which leads to hopelessness. I'm anxious writing this because the earlier darker nights forme are one of a number of profound triggers. It sounds absurd doesn't it but that's the nature of everyone's individual mental health triggers, the can sound absurd to many so you keep quiet and plough on through. Multiply those triggers by 10 and for those who don't struggle it's an idea of the constant triggering that eventually becomes too much. Overwhelming. If you don't struggle you may pass over this post without understanding that your Mum, Dad, Sister, Brother, partner or friend may be going through what I've set out above, and are close to doing something that could change a dozen lives. So I hope that if nothing else, if you believe one of those loved ones may be struggling, and I don't mean feeling blue, I mean fundemental changes you've seen ( men over 50 are chronically bad at speaking up), then please talk to them today. Mental health issues aren't ever cured, they're managed, and life can be as normal as anyone else's even if those issues crop up regularly, but suicidal ideation destroys one life in its entirety but always a domino effect of many others who love or knew that person who took their own life. I'll repeat, thinking about taking your own life is the ultimate in being poorly and needs urgent attention, help and understanding. It's never to be left. To those who struggle, please speak to someone, even one outlet can make a difference and have absolute belief that brighter days will come, because they always do. 740,000 people took their own life on this planet last year. Doesn't sound many until you add the 5, 10, 20 people that then affects for life. If you suspect you're struggling, please reach out and if you know someone who is, please talk to them, you have no idea the impact it makes. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay