World Suicide Prevention Day. The theme is Creating Hope Through Action:
[We] signal to people experiencing suicidal thoughts that there is hope and that we care and want to support them. It also suggests that our actions, no matter how big or small, may provide hope to those who are struggling. Lastly, it highlights the importance of setting suicide prevention as a priority public health agenda by countries, particularly where access to mental health services and availability of evidence-based interventions are already low. Building on this theme and spreading this message over the three years, a world can be envisioned where suicides are not so prevalent. [WHO]
The piece below was originally written and published on 7/5/2022:
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At 3.20am, I was trying to get ready to leave for #darknessintolight2022🌅walk as quietly as possible without waking the house (mostly the 3y.o.😬). I turned around — to find the 6 y.o. awake and ready to go with me.
So, on that short drive to Fairy House, that was my best attempt to the event to him. But not the stories of why I do it.
As we started, T. got anxious: “Where is the sun? What if it never comes up?”
Me: “No matter how dark the night, dawn always comes. Remember that.”
And we looked for the signs of dawn as we walked. His little hand in mine. We were quiet.
When we got to reflective km, it was finally light enough for him to see how many people were there. And he remarked on it. I asked him if he understood why so many people were there.
He thought and said: “Is it love?”
Me: “Exactly. Just like the sun, it’s always there even when you can’t see it. No matter where you go in life, always remember how many and how much people care. They were there when you couldn’t see them.”
My reflective km wasn’t the solo, silent, ruminating, remembering one I had planned. Like all doctors, I carry stories that aren’t mine to share but never to forget.
But this year, my son made me see the light, not the darkness, of the walk.
Well done to all the volunteers from Pieta House and (ASAP) Ashbourne Suicide Awareness & Prevention for a wonderful event.
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