A Classmate's Death

Trigger Warning: Suicide

​One of my usual morning routines is to check my emails and social media accounts. This morning, I was shocked to discover that one of my classmates died of suicide. He's the second one in my class to die this way. We went through 13 years of Christian schooling together from kindergarten to high school. He was quiet and fit the idiom, "still waters run deep." Although we weren't close, he left an impression on me.
​

In Bible class of our senior year, we were going over the prophetic books of the Bible. One day in the hallway, my classmate and I had a discussion about it. He told me he had done his own research on prophesy, way beyond what the class entailed, and shared his thoughts on it. I was surprised and impressed with his critical thinking skills on such a complex subject. He clearly was quite intelligent. It left me speechless and in awe of his amazing mind. That pivotal memory is what I remember the most about him.  

Our society doesn’t talk much about men experiencing mental health issues. Yet they do. In fact, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, here are some starting facts (1):  

• Suicide is highest among middle-age white men
• Men died by suicide almost 4x more than women in 2020
• Almost 70% of suicidal deaths in 2020 were by white males
• In 2020, nearly 53% of suicidal deaths were by firearms

While society or culture may say "it's not cool" or "manly" to be sensitive, we need to normalize that it's okay for both genders to express their emotions. I firmly believe that men should have their own men's only support groups where they feel safe to open up, discuss real issues, and freely express their emotions. In safe groups, we can find support and healing.

Having experienced suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide twice myself, I can only imagine what my classmate was thinking and feeling in the last few days leading up to his death. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends. I'm looking forward to the day when Jesus will take away all our pain and suffering.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Available 24/7.

If you're unable to talk or feel more comfortable texting, reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. Available 24/7.

​YOU MATTER!!!




Reference:

1. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2022). Retrieved on 06-02-2022 from https://afsp.org/suicide-statistics/

#Suicide #SuicidalThoughts #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #ChristianMentalHealth #HealingBalm #MentalBalm #BalmFromGilead #JourneyToWholeness