I’ve been reflecting on the several times I attempted to take my life, and remember people telling me to ”pray it away”, ”snap out of it”, or ”get over it, because black people don’t kill themselves”

🤷🏽‍♀️Silly me, for thinking I could actually talk to people who didn’t understand a damn thing about how mental illness works!

Suicide is suicide period…

Me having these thoughts, didn’t mean I didn’t trust God either! Stop 🚫 minimizing how people feel and judging them!

Yes….

I had a nice home
Nice car
Beautiful clothes
A successful business
A good husband
A good kid
Wonderful friends
Good family

None…

Of this matters, when your brain 🧠 doesn’t function at all, you only hear those evil voices in your head that constantly nag at you telling you how much of a failure you are, how stupid you are, how much of a burden you are!!! You can’t escape these thoughts overnight; you can’t just pray these thoughts away; you just can’t snap out of it!!!!

I no longer believe these thoughts as much as I use to, and I thank God for actually seeking the help I so badly needed!

So I ask you, to go check on your strong friend, cousin, neighbor, church member, and/or loved one! Millions of us suffer in silence; millions of us have money, look pretty, drive nice cars, live in beautiful houses, and run successful businesses.

Don’t get the misconception that we are good; we just get better a masking the pain we feel in our brains really well.

Although some of you may never understand why people like myself feel or think about ending our lives, don’t judge us for it!

Educate yourself, listen to your loved ones, be there for them!
Suicide isn’t a crazy person disease; it’s an illness that can affect just about anyone!!

It affected me 🤷🏽‍♀️daughter, sister, mom, wife, business owner, friend…suicide doesn’t discriminate.

If you are looking for someone to speak to about your loved one or even for yourself, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Mental Health provider in your state, contact the Suicide Hotline, or reach out to me!!!

Know the facts; you can’t acknowledge what you don’t confront!

Olivia
Mental Health Advocate
(suicide attempt survivor)

💌 olivia@oliviabshepherd.org
DM or text

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Rethink Mental Health Incorporated