Tears cold as ice melt from the corners of tired eyes as he closes them and tries to imagine what it would feel like to live past daylight. Crimson drops of the sunset drip down his skin because the knife is his only friend. His heart is stained past midnight and he wonders if he'll make it until tomorrow or if tonight should be the time to say goodbye to the stars before he joins them. And why not? He already feels as distant as they are from anyone's touch, and love is an impossibility he thinks he'll never know.
This individual represents the masses that struggle with depression, self-harm, and suicide. These are the people for whom this week is dedicated: National Suicide Prevention Week.
Depression isn't "just a phase". Self-harm isn't "just for attention". Suicide isn't "a sign of cowardice". Individuals who struggle with one or all of these things are in pain, and the number of lives taken by the lie that the hurt will never end continues to rise.
Across the world, 121 million people suffer from depression. 2/3 of those suffering from depression never seek help. Self-harm increases the probability of an individual committing suicide. The primary cause of suicide is untreated depression, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents.
But something can be done about it. It is possible to prevent someone from becoming another suicide statistic. Pain ends, but lives don't have to because of it.
Love is real. Help spread the message of HOPE: Hold On, Pain Ends.
How? One step is to spread awareness and support To Write Love On Her Arms: http://www.twloha.com/blog/join-twloha-for-national-suicide/
Seven days of suicide awareness. A blog post for every day. Stay tuned. Love loud.
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