My Wish As A Mother who Lost her child to Suicide

My Wish as a Mother Who Lost her Child to Suicide

My wish is that the battle became real to people.  That they could see this illness for what it truly is, a true affliction that can be as debilitating as physical illnesses.  Mental illness isn’t something anyone can choose or wish away.  It affects the brain like a tumor taking over or an infection spreading.

This illness has so much stigma attached to it people are ashamed to reach for help, and many go undiagnosed and untreated.  The resources for mental health are limited and not accessible to many.

When a tragedy strikes someone we know or love, it makes us all question, why didn’t they say something, why didn’t they ask someone to help them, why didn’t they just do things to make them happy?  We need to look at this differently.  When you are in a battle with your thoughts and perceptions it is not something you can just turn off. 

Instead we need to look at this as what can we do to help.  Where are we as a society to help those fighting these battles?  Where do we stand when someone we know is going through terrible pain? 

If my daughter was battling her disease without hair, tubes coming out of her, or other medical devices helping her with her battle would you look at her disease differently?  Would it be acceptable then?  Would it not be a choice for her then?