Today is World Mental Health Day, and this year it is focused on Suicide Prevention

13 Reasons Why was a big hit when I was working closely with a group of middle schoolers at a mental health outpatient unit of a hospital. I asked these young, opinionated and curious teens what they thought of the ending of the movie during a group therapy session, and a participant raised her hand eagerly and said, “I think Hannah [main character] was so brave to have committed suicide. Because she killed herself, she got her revenge!”

When we are emotionally charged, it is quite difficult to identify the seriousness of a suicidal attempt and/or the consequence of a completion. While it is important to provide psychoeducation on suicide prevention, we need to know that God does not view suicide as an act of bravery. Bravery for us means to accept our brokenness and turn to God for His strength, wisdom, forgiveness and grace to help us to deal with these challenges that we truly feel we can’t handle any longer. Bravery also means to live out the life that He has planned for us long before we were born.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬. It has continued to be a powerful scripture that I meditate on each time I feel tempted or entertain with my dark thoughts of “escaping”. So, what is the scripture that you hold on to when you are walking in the dark alley? Recite it, meditate about it and sit on it.

- Susan C.
Social worker striving to follow God’s call to serve, listen, encourage and love others well
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