Trigger warning: Suicide Awareness
It comes in like a wave sometimes. I tell this story, not sure of how old I was but I will guess about ten. I was walking back from the ocean to my towel, and all of a sudden a wave came up over me. All I could hear is swooshing of water surrounding me, unsure if my feet were on the sand or in the air, my hair and sand in my eyes, choking and literally taken for a ride. It wasn’t until I had settled and found my footing that I realized which end was up.
Have you ever been hit by a wave?
Sometimes we get hit with really strong emotion, and nothing feels clear. It seems to threaten to derail us or take us off our feet. And for some, the pain is so deep and there is a heavy weight that pulls them under.
This is Suicide Awareness Month. I realize I’m barely catching it as we soon reach the end of the month. I think it’s too important to let it pass by without mention. Could we just sit and have a few conversations about it together?
I want to honor the voices of those who are hurting deep. To be fair, it’s not a place everyone is willing or able to go. I’d like to courageously hold space for those who need someone who gets it.
For your reflection: If you are grounded with support, gently consider the raw places that can catch you off guard or come up like a wave for you. Without going into the wound, and with feeling your feet on the ground in this moment, can you name it? Can you just lightly touch something that feels hard or painful to allow it to be there for even just a very brief moment? Is there a golden thread that keeps coming back?
Action steps: The best “work” we can do with our trauma is to build safe support that allows us to courageously do just a little at a time. Practice deep belly breaths, long exhales, and drinking water. Feel your feet on the ground and the chair supporting you. Practice reaching out to a safe friend to touch base and connect about how you are both doing for mutual support. Be kind to yourself as you are building a strong foundation to heal.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 or Lifeline Crisis Chat www.crisischat.org or Text 741-741
