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A Friend in Need
There is nothing so scary
for the average person than to have someone they know and care about
disclose suicidal thoughts or feelings. Many people don’t know what
to say, or are fearful of saying the wrong thing. Just remember…the
person who discloses such a deep part of themselves to you must
really trust you. Feel honored for that!
A willingness to listen without
judgment, interruption, or giving advice is ALWAYS the best medicine
in this situation, and conveys your love and your caring. Listening
non-judgmentally reflects a deep human bond that deserves to be
treated with much respect. We realize as we grow into adulthood
just how difficult it can be at times to find a good listener, and
what a priceless treasure a good listener can be to a person in
crisis.
As you listen, you may realize that
you have stepped into a situation that was much deeper than you
thought and feel overwhelmed. You decide that you MUST tell someone
in order to protect your friend, that you can keep no “secrets” when
it comes to suicide. You tell an adult at the risk of incurring
your friend’s anger. In doing so, you perform a life-saving act.
To those who suffer in silence with
thoughts of suicide, may you know that caring people really are out
there if you can reach out to find them. In sharing your feelings,
there is no “right way” to do it, only the hope that the darkness
will fade and you will be able to enjoy the light once again. Maybe
your fears can be replaced by thoughtful action. And when you
become strong again, maybe you will have the opportunity to become
the source of comfort and support for someone else.
Please read the following story,
author unknown to the best of my knowledge. It makes the point that
all those who listen to another human being in crisis may one day
see that person change the world.
To find the Beautiful Story, go to Google's search bar and
type in its first line, which is: "One day, when I was a
freshman in high school."
© Copyright 2009 by Anthony
Pantaleno, Ph.D. |
