A "very special" thread...

[Umbran]

I spent yesterday evening at the hospital, visiting a friend who'd had enough, and had downed an entire bottle of prescription painkillers.

This person is not a troubled teen, not a drug user, or an alcoholic. This person is 40+, smart, well-educated, successful in their field, with well-adjusted kids. But there were stresses at work, and with their spouse's business. Those led to stresses at home. And, eventually it just got to be too much.

We knew there were problems. We'd said that if they needed us, they should call, any time, day or night. We meant it, but when it came down to it, our friend didn't call.

Folks, if at some point you're there, down at the end of your rope, pick up the damned phone before you pick up the bottle of pills. Please.

 

[Rhun]

Well said, Umbran. Well said.

 

[Stumblewyk]

Folks, if at some point you're there, down at the end of your rope, pick up the damned phone before you pick up the bottle of pills. Please.

Amen. As someone who's been there himself, and the brother of someone who struggles to not be there nearly constantly, just get some damned help. It's not a sign of weakness or something to be embarrassed about that you feel the way you do, and it's sure not a sign of weakness or embarrassing if you reach out for some assistance.

Also, for what it's worth, I'm sorry about your friend Umbran. I'm glad to hear that they didn't succeed.

 

[Thunderfoot]

I've said it before, I'll say it again; in modern society it's those of us that have had to deal with REAL crap that are getting fed up. Along with a society that has had us hide mental illness or else get branded "psycho, brain drain, retard" or a host other derogatory names.

Mental illness can range from depression to full blown dementia - folks, get help. Don't think you can just ignore it and it will go away, it's not the common cold, it's more like cancer. It can be treated, but rarely if ever is "gone". I'm currently two years in remission of depression thanks to medication - it started when then world fell apart at GenCon 2008 (what a time for a break down huh?). Instead of letting myself get to the point of no return, I got on a plane and retreated to my family's farm (my mother is a psychiatric nurse) and got settled, then when I went back to the east coast, got professional medical help.

It was better to get help than abandon those who cared about me, and really, that's what you are doing, jumping off the train and to hell with the rest of those on board. Think a second how those action affect someone else. Sends a sign of it's okay to do it to your kids, inadequacy as a mate to a spouse/significant other, helplessness/hopelessness to friends and acquaintances and a nagging feeling like they missed a signal somewhere or worse ignored a signal.

I've been good ever since, but there was a time... and I have to keep reminding myself of that daily.

 

[Alynnalizza]

As someone who has thought about it, after the death of his twins, I concur with Umbran. Please pick up the phone and call someone.

I was lucky, I fought through it, well, still fighting through it.

Umbran, thank you for being by your friends side, even after the fact. It's tough.