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As a person who has lost my brother to suicide, I can't stand it when:
people casually/jokingly say "I wanted to kill myself"
jokingly make the gesture of holding a gun to their head
jokingly make the gesture of hanging themself

How could someone do these things when they don't know whether the person they're communicating with has experienced suicide? I've had friends that know oh so well what I've been through unthinkingly do these things as my heart stops and stomach sickens. So painful. Once, in a restaurant, I had to exit quickly to the bathroom where I burst into tears.

Please people, you don't always know what people have experienced. Suicide is never a joke or casual.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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Well said.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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Your honesty in expressing your feelings regarding the loss of your son is very touching. I'm so sorry for your loss. Your writing of hell reminds me of what my brother, who committed suicide 12 years ago, used to say: "hell is life on earth". For him, this was so often true and for me also. Your honesty is so refreshing to me as I wish my Mom could express her feelings honestly regarding the loss of her son. Keep writing.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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My brother committed suicide twelve years ago which has had a profound affect on my life. He was an alcoholic and manic depressive. I struggled with him from the time he was 16 until 32 (when he died). So many programs, so many drug regimes, so little success. He attempted suicide a number of times before successfully completing the act. He was so so so tired. His suicide has really defined my life. There isn't an hour that goes by that I don't think of him. I have finally after twelve years come to peace with losing my beloved brother. This peace only came after years and years of therapy, self reflection and spirituality. I miss him like hell...every every every day.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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