Tag Archives: suicide prevention

It is not over

‘… many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis with a breakdown in the ability to deal with life stresses, … ’. – World health organization (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide) 

Suicide is often a side effect of severe depression. The black and white thinking that often comes along with a depressive episode tricks your brain into thinking that there is no way out. 

I am here to encourage you that whatever your situation is, and how impossible it may seem, it is not over. At moments when life sweeps you over, and you feel too weak to carry on, Jesus wants to show his strength and make up for your weakness. At moments when the mountain in front of you is that big, that it makes you question whether to stay alive. Know that there is no mountain that Jesus is not able to move. 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 corinthians 12:9 

I often found myself stuck in black and white thinking. I always had thought patterns along the lines of: ‘ I would never recover from my mental illnesses’ or ‘I would never get over certain traumas’. Because of the severity of the diagnoses I had at the time, medically speaking, there was indeed a small chance I would be able to function healthily. 

Yet, I also believed that Jesus loved me. Therefore, He would never allow me to be in a situation which I would not be able to handle with Him. 

And I was right. 

During my recovery process, I became more sensitive to His voice and he showed me exactly which way to go, one step at a time. 

At moments when the mountain in front of you is that big, it makes you question whether to stay alive. Know that Jesus wants to show you what to do in your situation. At times He will show you the way to go and at other times He will encourage you to stay still and trust in Him. 

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21 

He is life (part 3)

This is part 3 of the series of Jesus being the way, the truth and life when suffering from mental illness. 

During the years I was suffering from mental illness, I never understood why Christians are against suicide or euthanasia. I always thought that if they suffered as much as I did, at the time, they would understand why a person would make one of  these decisions. I asked Jesus a lot of questions in these seasons.

Did He enjoy watching me suffer this deeply? Or did I do something wrong, and is this His punishment for me? 

During my recovery process, I realised that death could never be a solution to mental suffering, because Jesus promotes life.  The entire gospel is about Jesus overcoming death, so we could live. As Christians we know that death could never be the solution to your mental illness. This is with the reason that death is not the mental peace you desire, it is simply a portal to an afterlife. 

Death could never be the solution to your mental illness, because Jesus overcame death. 

Jesus wants you to live, because He designed you to live. And I, of all people, know how hard and suffering life can be. But you were never meant to do it alone. Jesus can be next to you, every step of your life. From your first breath until your last.

If you let Him. 

He is not a God that throws you on the earth, watches you in agony to see if you will make it. He is a God that is standing next to you, to catch every tear. Furthermore, He is a God that lived on this earth and suffered tremendously. Which means that He is no stranger to suffering. 

He understands you. 

As hard as life can be, know that Jesus wants to be your comfort. An intimate relationship with Him will help you to understand his character and hear his voice. You’ll experience that He wants to help you to get through your hardest days. 

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11: 28 

Jesus is pro-life, not to punish you nor to watch you suffer. Neither did He promise you an easy life. However, he did promise to love you and never leave you. 

The great illusion

The belief of an end to your mental suffering. 

Or a magical solution for all the current problems you are facing. 

The dream of the idea that you do not need to fight or hang on any longer. 

Add the above to the thoughts in your head that go towards a negative spiral. Which makes life look even darker than it in reality is.

However, all together is the intense desire of suicide nothing more than an illusion. 

An Illusion can be described as an unjust interpretation of reality. The reality is that mentally you are suffering, and it seems like it is never ending. The illusion is that suicide is the solution. 

But if suicide is not the solution, you may ask, then what is? 

A relationship with Jesus in combination with the right medication and professional treatment. 

A relationship with Jesus while being suicidal makes you experience that you are not facing this battle alone. Because the One that literally overcame death is standing next to you. 

He is there to counsel you, to strengthen you, and to be a safe refuge when you need to get away from your suffering. 

He can be all that and so much more if you let Him. 

I personally have never experienced Jesus’ presence and strength more in my life than the moments when I was at my lowest. Therefore, I am a witness of the way in which Jesus carries you through painful seasons. 

‘’The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18’’ 

In practice, when you find yourself in a place where you feel like your negative thoughts are taking over and with that you feel out of control. Run to His presence and cry out to Him. 

Tell Him everything that goes on in your mind and do not hold back. Make this a habit every time you find yourself at such a bad mental place. 

You will see for yourself the effectiveness. Thereby, you will experience the biblical promises of who Jesus is when someone is suffering. And with that you will learn to get to know the heart of Jesus. 

The cross was the first time He saved you. And He wants to do it again. 

“There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’. “So Israel will live in safety, prosperous Jacob in security, in a land of grain and new wine, while the heavens drop down dew.”- ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭33:26-28 ‭

To the Suicidal one: You don’t want to die

You don’t want to die.

Death is no solution.  

Having suicidal thoughts is a side effect of a severe depression, which means that when you are suicidal your mental health is remarkably bad. 

Depression puts your mind in a negative cognition. So everything is perceived through a more pessimistic lens. Therefore are the chances high that when your mental health recovers your suicidal thoughts will fade as well. 

The first sprinkle of hope… 

You don’t want to die, you want to end the emotional pain you have. Life can be hard and painful, but also so so beautiful. I don’t have an immediate solution for the agony that comes with being alive now. But I do want to change your perspective on the fact that everything is temporary. Your situation may seem hopeless, but a change of perspective, maybe with the help of someone else, will lead to better days. Or even happiness.

The second sprinkle of hope… 

I once read a quote about that when someone commits suicide they transfer the pain they’ve been carrying themselves to their loved ones. Personally, I couldn’t agree more. I don’t want to talk you into guilt. I just want to state the truth. You think a successful suicide attempt will be the solution for your situation but it simply is not. 

Don’t take me wrong I know what living in severe emotional pain for longer periods of time feels like. And I’m giving this advice out of the experience. The only way out of your struggles is being brave and looking your pain right in the eye. And heal from thereon.

It is tremendously hard, but definitely possible. When I realized the only way out was to face (in my case) my traumas. I found solace in the fact that I didn’t have to do it by myself.

For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you. – Isaiah 41:13-14 

I found rest, strength, and ultimate deliverance in Christ. His word strengthened me in ways that I can’t describe. As I was sorting out my pain I found peace in knowing that the one who holds the universe holds me by my hand.

This was my solution.