This is a personal entry, not financial.
I’d like to take a moment to remind people that when the world seems like too much, when your brain is a tangled ball of yarn that’s so knotted you can never untangle it, when you don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t end it now—talk to someone. If there isn’t anyone around or you feel ashamed to tell a family member or friend, then there are people you can call.
One place to find suicide hotlines is SuicideHotlines.com. They’ll take your call even if you’re not actively planning or threatening to kill yourself.
The two biggest national ones are: 1-800-784-2433 (1-800-SUICIDE) and 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK).
If you have more time, are in less of a crisis, and feel guilty about calling a hotline, there are also mental health “warmlines.” It takes a little more google work to find those and they’re often local to your area. They can help you find clinics and the like as well as provide a place to talk. But if you can’t find one, call a hotline.
I had a rather bad mental breakdown this afternoon which I’m still recovering from. Mr. Micah helped me get through it. But other people may not have someone around who even knows how to help them. I programmed the suicide hotline and a warmline into my cellphone. The hotline is my speed dial #9, though I’ve never yet used it.
Sometimes your brain breaks. If you can’t get through it by yourself, don’t be ashamed to ask for help.
(preaching to myself here…but this is good therapy.)
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Best of luck to you and your husband both, Mrs. Micah. I perhaps have an inkling of what you’re going through. In my adolescence, I suffered from clinical depression, brought about by having lost my father to schizophrenia between the ages of six (his first onset and when he lost his job) and ten (when he became too dangerous to allow to stay in the house), which led to juvenile delinquency, which led to . . ., and eventually to depression. My last relapse was when I was about your age and I’ve been fine ever since (I’ve always been unmedicated – medications weren’t prescribed nearly as often back then). I probably have the beginnings of depression just as often to this day, but I eventually learned strategies which enable me to nip it in the bud before it becomes debilitating. (Stupid as it sounds, this mostly just consists of willing myself to be happy and choking down on negative thoughts, but it’s far, far easier said than done.)
You’re absolutely right about not being ashamed to ask for help. Most people you can ask will neither view it as particularly burdensome nor think any less of you for it. I applaud people like yourself who are willing to be open and honest about your struggles. The more stories your fellow sufferers hear, the less likely they are to feel isolated or ashamed of their malady.
Thank you, Andrew.
I’m sending positive energy and prayers to your as I type. I have had my times of trouble with depression as well. But as Andrew said shifting your thoughts from negative to positive is the first step. Another technique that helped me personally was adapting an attitude of gratitude. When I started focusing on what I was grateful for in my life the despair and sadness started to fade. On a side note isn’t it interesting that there are colors and ribbons for practically every disease under the sun … yet mental health is still stigmatized. I’ll close now … blessings to you and yours.
MrsMicah, I hope you’re feeling better now. I don’t have much to say but know that I’m giving you a virtual hug and I’m hoping for your continued recovery.
I hope you’re doing better. Depression is difficult and I wish you and Mr. Micah the best.
Hang in there. I’m glad that you have a supportive husband, and I hope you’re feeling better now. Sending you good thoughts.
::Insert hugs and Jessie-style back rub here:: Thinking of you and praying for you today. Hope you’re feeling better.
Thank you everyone. I am indeed feeling better. Hopefully tonight I’ll post about some ways I improved my spirits–all without spending money (no therapy shopping). 🙂
Of course, there’s also been friends’ prayers and Mr. Micah’s snuggly lovingness.
“…Mr. Micah’s snuggly lovingness.”
Yes, snuggly lovingness *rocks*. Been married about 4 months now, and cuddling with the SO is the greatest joy in my life.
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