Families & Friends Affected By Suicide Support Group
Suicide affects not only the individual, but also the family and friends who provide support and love. This community is offered as a place for those affected by suicide to gather and gain strength from each other. PLEASE NOTE: If you are suffering from suicidal thoughts, please take advantage of our CRISIS RESOURCES, which you can find at the bottom of every page of the...
No-one I know has actually committed suicide. Just a lot of attempts. My Great Aunt succeeded before I was born and our family has a history of depression. I didn't know that until just last Jan though.
My story starts with my cousin, Debbie. When she was 8 years old she fell off a cliff in New Zealand when she was out walking with her Mother, my Auntie Kathy. Kathy could do nothing but watch as Debbie tumbled down, landing on the rocks below with her head submerged. She wasn't moving. Passers by joined Kathy in finding a way down as quick as they could. Luckily Debbie survived but suffered brain damage. She used to be a very bright girl and wanted to become a missionary in Africa but due to the accident she can't do half the things she used to. She suffers constant headaches and panic attacks. I'm no expert so I don't really understand it all but she also has a Phobia of fruit now. She'll carry around disinfectant with her and clean anything fruit has touched. She has tried to jump of the family's balcony several times and jump out of a moving car. She says she doesn't want to live the way she is. She refuses go into a room with fruit in it. This obviously had a terrible impact on her Mother, Kathy, who is now on anti-depressants.
During all this Kathy's eldest daughter, Kim, has gone completely off the rails and is on drugs and working as a pole dancer/stripper. Completely out of character for a devoted Christian. She fell pregnant and thankfully gives up the drugs but doesn't cope with having a kid at all. Her son is constantly in accidents and in one case, fell off a balcony. The Dad is very supportive and is good with the child. But Kim became depressed with her constant failings and after the birth of her daughter, attempted suicide. Three times now and counting.
The youngest of Kathy's 6 kids is Samantha who has grown up in this environment and doesn't seem to know any different. at 6 years old she stood up in class (in a discussion about their weekend) and announced that she "felt like killing herself on saturday but then she changed her mind."
My Auntie is slowly being broken by her own children but she still has her faith which is amazing.
My story starts with my cousin, Debbie. When she was 8 years old she fell off a cliff in New Zealand when she was out walking with her Mother, my Auntie Kathy. Kathy could do nothing but watch as Debbie tumbled down, landing on the rocks below with her head submerged. She wasn't moving. Passers by joined Kathy in finding a way down as quick as they could. Luckily Debbie survived but suffered brain damage. She used to be a very bright girl and wanted to become a missionary in Africa but due to the accident she can't do half the things she used to. She suffers constant headaches and panic attacks. I'm no expert so I don't really understand it all but she also has a Phobia of fruit now. She'll carry around disinfectant with her and clean anything fruit has touched. She has tried to jump of the family's balcony several times and jump out of a moving car. She says she doesn't want to live the way she is. She refuses go into a room with fruit in it. This obviously had a terrible impact on her Mother, Kathy, who is now on anti-depressants.
During all this Kathy's eldest daughter, Kim, has gone completely off the rails and is on drugs and working as a pole dancer/stripper. Completely out of character for a devoted Christian. She fell pregnant and thankfully gives up the drugs but doesn't cope with having a kid at all. Her son is constantly in accidents and in one case, fell off a balcony. The Dad is very supportive and is good with the child. But Kim became depressed with her constant failings and after the birth of her daughter, attempted suicide. Three times now and counting.
The youngest of Kathy's 6 kids is Samantha who has grown up in this environment and doesn't seem to know any different. at 6 years old she stood up in class (in a discussion about their weekend) and announced that she "felt like killing herself on saturday but then she changed her mind."
My Auntie is slowly being broken by her own children but she still has her faith which is amazing.
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I can understand turning away from God, as a result, but I pray that your family can find their way back again.
I've listened to some amazing people that have gone through so much adversity and are living as quadraplegics,for example, and their faith and strength and hope are amazing. I'm humbled by their tenacity.
At any rate, I'm hugging you and your family.
Before I run that into the ground, the point I have to make is this: It's obvious your family is a good one. Tell Samantha everyday that you love her, by phone, by note, whatever. Tell them all that you love them and think of them enough to lose sleep. Sometimes, it's the smallest of things that gets us through a day. Love happens to be small enough to carry around in your thoughts, and big enough to change how a day ends.