Author Christy Angelette

“Thirteen reasons why” A series in its third season, bravely and candidly portray the issues and reality of suicide. Showing us in vivid detail, the steps that start with depression and lead to the murdering of oneself. This show held no punches, made no exceptions as it took us into the drowning mind of a young troubled teen. The hit BET show “Being Mary Jane” highlighted the same issues in season 3 episode 3. The character Lisa played by Actress Latarsha Rose is a successful doctor who suffered from depression and took her own life. During this particular show, the statement was made, “Black people don’t kill themselves!” Statistically speaking, turns out we do. The number is highest amongst black youth after homicide, suicide is the leading cause of death between the ages of 13 and 19. On both of these shows and more commonly than known, suicidal thoughts are rooted in some form of trauma or abuse that turned into a deep depression. Mental illness is rarely talked about. Spiritually speaking it’s the equivalent of demonic oppression going on within the mind of its host. In the black community mental instability is overlooked or covered up by excuses. The trauma is buried beneath the family tree and the ripple effects of untreated pain extend from one generation to the next. Some people break underneath the pressure instead of bending when the pitfalls of life start caving in, a slow death deteriorates and penetrates to the depths of one’s soul. Eroding all hope from the heart. The road to suicide looks a lot like this. I’ve been down this road before, grew up right there in the middle of it. Only sleepwalking and existing, until one day I woke up to the Realization I was drowning, suffocating, life almost gone. I saved myself by looking up into the heart of the one who had created me, God. He reminded me of who I was created to be, filling my soul, mind, and heart with the love he had for me. I found my inner strength to fight for life. I decided to give into living and release my grip on death. I sought help and healing for myself. It’s important to have healthy outlets for my pain, let go of toxic thinking and toxic people that were depleting, breaking, and draining all of my energy. Rediscovered my faith, acknowledged my worth. To those that may feel like all is lost and you’re falling apart: please pick yourself back up, along with all the broken pieces, and hit reset. I know putting yourself back together is no easy task, it takes patience, perseverance, and hard work. Know that you were not created to live and die broken. Like a puzzle, the pieces of your life can fit back together again. Don’t give up.
Sources: University of Toledo. Eurekalert.org