Don’t Fight The Battle Alone: Why Prioritizing Your Mental Health Is Imperative
How are you still standing?
I get this question multiple times a week these days. I’ve been asked 3 times today.
Moments before beginning to write this, I said I was going to take a break.
Shortly after making this statement, I came across an article: Suicides in the U.S. reached all-time high in 2022, CDC data shows
This was an immediate reminder that there is always more work to do. I just had a conversation about my efforts to shift this narrative. One of the many reasons I’m frequently speaking about the topic—saving lives is worth it. If you’ve listened to my podcast, It’s Gonna Hurt, But It Won’t Kill You or read any of my blogs or books recently, you’re aware of my personal journey and some of the amazing stories of people who have endured uncommon trials, but there are so many stories of people fighting battles even those closest to them are unaware of.
While scrolling Facebook one day, I saw messages and messages flooding my timeline wishing for an old college classmate of mine to rest in peace. The shock that echoed across our collegiate community couldn’t have been any louder. It’s often those who are full of positivity and pouring everything from their cups who are actually fighting some of the toughest battles. As a kid, I remember having a jolly neighbor who spoke to and brought smiles to everyone he came across. One day after returning home from school, we looked down the street and were informed this neighbor took his own life. Years passed then someone else we knew did the same right around the corner. These were sons, brothers and cousins. It was so close to home.
I couldn’t have imagined what would eventually transpire, but it was certainly a wake up call to be back in my neighborhood years later with the blinding blue lights of police cruisers and the deafening sounds of ambulance sirens to alert everyone of life changing events I still cannot fully describe. It wasn’t close to home anymore. It was home. Reliving that experience multiple times is something nobody should ever have to endure, but it is reality.
As the article suggests, “about 49,500 people took their own lives last year in the U.S., the highest number ever,” and that should be an alarming statistic. That is more than 135 people per day, which equates to nearly 6 people per hour or ~1 person every 10 minutes. After grappling with what has been thus far the most challenging period of my life, there’s no wonder people have asked that question. How are you still standing?
While I don’t have a specific answer for that right now, what I can say is prayer, meditation, faith, family, friendship, therapy and thoughtfulness provided me with a foundation of hope. I’ve been fortunate. The work that I’ve been asked to do is not something I take lightly. I might not have all of the answers, but I know these steps are ordered. The stories of resilience, tenacity and operating with faith in the face of adversity will save many lives. I might not ever be able to answer that question with full clarity on my own, but the work I’ve pledged to do is certainly part of the equation.
No matter what happens in your life . . .
No matter how tough it gets. . .
Remember . . . It’s gonna hurt, but it won’t kill you.
-TK
