One of the worst things to happen to anyone is to lose a precious, beloved family member to suicide. I know. I lost my 26 year old brother, Farooq, in 1991. It is not something that you ever get over. The loss, the emptiness, the heartache, the guilt, the devastation, they never go away. The “if only I’d …” been there, done this, held on to his hand so he couldn’t have walked away, the if onlys, they never go away. I wasn’t even in Buffalo when it happened. If only I’d been there, I may well have been able to help him. I would still give my right arm to have him here with us, with his beautiful, endearing smile, his goofy jokes, his sweetness, his sensitivity, his love.
September is Suicide prevention month. This article from NAMI is an excellent article, with a great amount of information to help people who are thinking of suicide, hotlines, it also has information for people who are friends or family of someone who is thinking of suicide. I hope my posting this will help people, will prevent this devastating loss from happening to people. Read on.
“September 2015 is also known as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month which helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention, how you can help others and how to talk about suicide without increasing the risk of harm.
Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people and is often the result of mental health conditions that effect people when they are most vulnerable. Suicidal thoughts and suicide occur too frequently but should not be considered common and can indicate more serious issues. In many cases the individuals, friends and families affected by suicide are left in dark, feeling shame or stigma that prevents talking openly about issues dealing with suicide.
- Know the Warning Signs and Risk of Suicide
- Preventing Suicide as a Family Member or Caregiver
- Being Prepared for a Crisis
Crisis and Information Resources
- I’m in crisis or am experiencing difficult or sucidal thoughts: National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273 TALK (8255)
- I’m looking for more information, referrals or support: NAMI HelpLine 800-950-NAMI (6264)
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.
World Suicide Prevention Day
On September 10, 2015 we observe World Suicide Prevention Day to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect indiviudals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to address suicide prevention.
What else can I do?
We believe that these issues are important to address year round. Highlighting these issues during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and World Suicide Prevention Day provides a time for people to come together and display the passion and strength of those working to improve the lives of the millions of Americans that can benefit from honest discussions about mental health conditions and suicide. In fighting for those living with mental illness there is still much more that needs to be done and more ways to get involved.
If you or someone you know may need a mental health assessment, anonymous online tools are available. Learn more and help yourself or someone you care about.
Awareness Resources
Share the images and graphics below during the month of September to help promote awareness of suicide prevention resources and promote discussion of suicide prevention awareness. You can also use #suicideprevention or #IAmStigmaFree on social media.
Facebook Cover Image and Badge:
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Facebook Share Image 1200x1200px
Twitter Cover Image and Badge:
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– See more at: https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Raise-Awareness/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month#sthash.p0Kv0jNk.dpuf “
Bipolar1Blog 
Thank you for this post. I am so sorry that you lost your brother! I have lost many friends to suicide, but a close family member, never, and I hope I never do. In his last months of agony, my father begged me to deliver him from his pain, but even though I had the means, I couldn’t do it. If I had helped him exit this world, he would not have suffered so long; but neither would we have had the time to hold hands, tell each other how much we love each other, share a million kisses. For myself, I often long to be out of my pain, but I can’t leave my son to grieve for his entire life. Even though he is much mote resilient than I am, I know it would destroy him. So I soldier on, sometimes bitterly resentful that I can’t end my life because of the disaster my suicide would leave in its wake.
I wish that NAMI would give people like me a chance to tell our story, rather than insisting that our stories be “inspiring and uplifting.” People need to know that sometimes the only way to survive is by hanging on by your teeth and claws, even if it’s for someone else’s sake and not your own. I have never felt supported by NAMI, and my letters too them go unanswered, so I feel that they don’t really care about the individual with mental illness. I don’t see any advocacy for the homeless, the prisoners, the truly vulnerable populations who have no one to represent them. Do you have information that will prove me wrong? I hope you do!
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My dear Laura, thank you for your kind words. I am so sorry that you feel so bad and are in so much pain that you think of ending your life, but I think just like you are glad your father couldn’t end his life, your son would not only be devastated by your loss, but also will be so glad you didn’t take any such measures. Please don’t do anything, there is hope, always hope for better days. Sometimes in the past, when my depression had gotten so bad that I couldn’t stand it, the only thing that saved me was the thought of my son and how it would destroy him if I did anything to myself. So, I’m sorry, but you have to bear the pain. I so wish I could help. I didn’t know the negative things about NAMI, actually I don’t know the organization very well. One of my mother’s good friends was the head of NAMI in Buffalo, N.Y. That’s very disappointing to hear, what you say about them.
Sending you hugs and hope dear Laura. xxxooo
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Thank you so much. It’s people like you who save lives.
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💕💕🌺🌺
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Sending you my deepest condolences. Thank you for this blog.
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Thank you very much Kitt.
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My heart goes out to you for the loss of your extraordinary brother, my beautiful friend. I have read about him in your previous posts and I know how much you loved, and still love him
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Thank you my dear Dyanne. I appreciate your understanding, empathetic words very much.
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Thank you so much, so glad you found my blog!
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