i did not write this...but when i read it ....it moved me. My wish is that it will help others. PS.....I am ALWAYS willing to listen

A Personal Letter to Those Considering Suicide.

Suicide has touched me in many different ways.

I lost my best friend in high school to suicide. Then, seven years later, my biological father died from suicide in July, 1999. Another good friend of mine committed suicide in February, 2014.

This is a letter to everyone who feels like the only way out of their depression is suicide. It mirrors the thoughts and feelings of concerned loved ones around the world:

My friends and family, I want you to come to me for help. You know who I am and you have known me for quite some time. I hope you will trust me and let me help you.

Tell me your thoughts of suicide. You might feel very nervous, scared, anxious and even overly excited when you talk to me about this epidemic. When I ask you if you are thinking of suicide, I will try to help you feel safe. You know you have been safe before in my presence and you know that you can trust me.

I will never nor have I ever judged you or your life. I am here to listen to you. If you want questions asked, I can do that too. But Im not here as a police officer; I will never interrogate you. I will never overwhelm you with conversation. When you say enough talking, it means enough talking.

I never panic. I will listen gently as you tell me your story. I want you to talk to me in your own words. There is no right way or wrong way to tell your story. There is only your way: you telling your story like you want to, in your own words and at your own pace.

Suicide might tell you not to tell me. Suicide will try and make you believe that you dont know me, that we havent been friends, that you have never trusted me in the past, that we have never helped one another out. Suicide will try to frame me and make me look like your enemy.

Suicide, we both know, lies. Suicide might tell you that nobody could possibly help you and that dying is the only way to end your pain and your suffering. Suicide might even tell you that you are a bad person. It will tell you everything that you have ever done wrong, that you are defective and that you are undeserving of living a proud and happy life that satisfies you. Suicide will tell you that you are undeserving of family, friends, love, hope, a miracle or compassion.

We both know this isnt true.

This is Satan at his best. He tries to possess you so you dont talk to me, so you wont trust me, so you wont believe in me, and so you wont want to talk with me about what is going on in your life.

Please tell me. I cannot help you fight the enemy if you do not tell me about the enemy. This enemy is trying to kill you. The enemy is tremendously lying to you. Do not trust your suicidal thoughts. Your enemy is trying to make a permanent mark on your life for short-falls that are only temporary.

Your suicidal thoughts are not rational. They are a symptom, a sign and a cry from inside. Something inside of you is in desperate need for healing.

Suicide plays tricks with the truth. Suicide is only telling you the truth that makes you want to die. Suicide is hiding the honesty that makes you want to live: the pieces of hope; the strength that you have inside you; the laughter you give to others; the love and the care that you posses; the good natured heart you have always had.

You have pieces of hope, pathways to healing and the possibility to do anything you want with your life. So, tell me, please. Or tell somebody else. I am only one of the many people who can help you. But nobody can help you if you remain silent about your problems and or try to take on this evil enemy by yourself.

Remember that dying does not take away your pain and suffering; instead, it passes that pain and suffering onto everyone else you have touched in your life!

One day you will thank yourself, too. For telling. For surviving. For healing, not killing.