Cry for Help

Trigger Warning: Suicide, Suicidal Ideation, Depression
💚
💚
💚
On one particular Sunday, in the 1990s, a classmate called me and said she was holding a knife and was going to kill herself. Even though I was only a freshman in high school, I knew she was crying out for help.

💚
Prior to this phone call, during school, she expressed to a group of us how frustrated she was and how she was done with life. I immediately verbalized my concern for her. But her friends were dismissive and said, oh she always says that, it doesn't mean anything. Her friends minimized the situation. I was still worried and knew her comments were serious. Outside of her friends' earshot, I told her I was there for her. Some time had passed from this incident to that Sunday.
💚
What she said on that Sunday, I took seriously. My heart raced with thoughts of what to do to help her. God reminded me of what I had already learned to do in situations like this. I asked her to promise me that she would not do anything until I called her back. She promised. I hung up the phone and immediately called our high school counselor. He quickly gave me some instructions of how to keep my classmate calm and safe while he got her help. I called her back. She picked up the phone. She didn't attempt to do anything. Thank God, I said to myself. We talked for some time when she told me there was a knock at the door. Her extended family had come to help her after they got the call from our counselor. I knew it was safe to hang up the phone.
💚
Some time had passed when the second incident occurred.
💚
Back then, before cell phones, we would pass notes to each other. One afternoon, I found a note in my locker from her, which said not to open it until I got home. I immediately became suspicious. As I walked into my last class, which was study hall, I sat down with some of our mutual friends. They all said they too got a note from her, saying not to open it until they got home. In the pit of my stomach, I knew something was wrong. I told them all to open their notes right then. Some of them protested as they didn't want to dishonor her request. Time was ticking by as I tried to reason with them. Eventually they relented at my persistent demands. Each note expressed appreciation for the relationship and gifted the recipient with one of her treasures. Essentially, it was a good-bye note with her giving away her valuable possessions. The suicidal warning signs were there. I knew she was planning to commit suicide again.
💚
I had to act fast. The last bell was going to ring. I had to stop her from going home. Unfortunately, we were stuck with the strictest, most uncompassionate teacher for study hall that day. Only one person could leave study hall at a time to use the bathroom, and there was already a long line of people waiting. I explained the emergent situation with the teacher, and she still refused to let me go see the counselor. It wasn't a surprise but it was still frustrating and disappointing.
💚
So we devised a plan. A couple of my friends distracted the teacher while I made a run for it. I could see the angry look of betrayal on her face as I ran to the counselor's office. I explained to him what was going on. He immediately took off in the direction of my friend's classroom, passing the large window to the study hall on our way. The study hall teacher's expression changed from anger to surprise when she saw the counselor scurrying down the hallway with me not far behind. I showed the counselor which classroom she was in. Then I went back to study hall.
💚
The bell rang just then as I walked back into study hall. I was relieved the counselor got to her before the last bell rang. She was safe. My friends and I watched as our friend was accompanied by the counselor down the hallway to his office. Our eyes met as she walked by that large window. She gave me a look as she realized it was me who had called the counselor after reading her good-bye note.
💚
I checked in with her later to see if she was upset with me. She wasn't. Things changed for her as she finally received the help and attention she needed.
💚
September is #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth. I'm sharing this pivotal time in my high school experience to show you that you can make a difference at any age and with limited knowledge. Up to that point, I only knew a few things about suicide. But the only thing that really mattered is that I believed her and I cared. When you step out in faith to help someone, God will be there to give you the words to say and the next steps to take. Feel free to reach out and contact me. Together, we can prevent suicide.
💚
If you’re in a crisis, contact one of the hotlines below:
U.S. Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
U.S. Crisis Text Line: Text SHARE to 741-741
International: FindAHelpline.com
💚
Not sure what to say to someone who's suicidal? Check out the @realdepressionproject for tips.
💚
Also, check out our Resources page for hotlines, warm lines, therapists, etc. 
💚
💚
💚
Share, Comment, Like, and Follow @BalmFromGilead for more #MentalHealth related content.
💚
#TrueStory
#SuicidePrevention
#SuicidalIdeation
#Advocate
#JourneyToWholeness
#BalmFromGilead
#HealingBalm
#MentalBalm
#MentalHealthAwareness
#AsianMentalHealth
#SouthAsianMentalHealth
#AsianChristians
#SouthAsianChristians
#AsianChristianMentalHealth
#SouthAsianChristianMentalHealth