FOSTERING PRESENCE IN A CHAOTIC WORLD

My Dearest #MentalMonday♥️🧠 reader I wonder how you have been doing in this Suicide Prevention month. While it might not be a Monday today, we would not have done justice to the cause of fighting for mental health if we let the curtains of September be drawn without one last blog on Suicide Prevention and evoking a love for life. Have you been bracing life’s storms? Have you been having conversations that save lives? Have you been cheering yourself, breaking down when you must and picking yourself up? And if you have done this, well done, if not, you still have a chance to do this. However, matters of mental health do not end with an individual, they cascade to empowering and being present for the next person. Sometimes, it is in healing the other person that we ourselves are healed.

In a world that often glorifies strength and resilience, it is easy to forget that vulnerability is not a sign of weakness, but rather a testament to our humanity. Life exposes us to so many problems that threaten suck the life out of us. We go to with ourselves, battle addictions, mourn losses that we can’t explain to the next person, grapple with existential questions – questions of being and wounds that leave us vulnerable. Allow yourself to feel, to grieve, to ache, to weep, to just sit with your feelings. At times, the temptation to question if life is even worth it constantly plagues us.

For many, the grip of suicidal ideation can feel like a relentless storm, a tempest that clouds the spirit and obscures the light. It is vital to recognise that such thoughts do not define you; they are but a fleeting whisper in the grand symphony of your existence. In those moments when life feels unbearably heavy, remember: it is okay to yield. Accept the weight of your struggles, but do not let them anchor you to despair. You are not alone in this journey. Reach out, share your burdens, and let the warmth of connection soothe your soul. A wise man once said, “if you must, give in but never give up.”

There is a delicate balance between surrendering to our emotions and maintaining the resolve to rise again. Giving in does not mean giving up; it is an act of courage to acknowledge our pain while still choosing to pursue life’s beauty. The act of living fully requires us to navigate through the thorns, to dance in the rain, and to find solace in the small joys that pepper our days.

In the depths of addiction, grief, or anxiety, feeling stuck, it may feel as though the light at the end of the tunnel is but a distant dream. Yet, even the longest nights eventually give way to dawn. Each day is a new canvas, a fresh opportunity to paint your story with resilience and grace. Seek support, whether through therapy, support groups, or the comforting embrace of loved ones. The act of reaching out is a powerful step toward reclaiming your narrative.

Hope is a fragile yet formidable force. It can be ignited in the smallest of moments—a kind word from a friend, a walk in nature, or a quiet moment of reflection. Cultivating hope is an act of rebellion against despair. It is a commitment to the belief that life, with all its trials, is still worth living. And might I say, make it an objective to dare rebel against despair.

As you navigate the labyrinth of your emotions, may you find strength in the knowledge that you are not defined by your struggles. You are a masterpiece in progress; a story still being written. The chapters may be dark, but the ink is far from dry, keep going, bearing in mind that you are worthy because#Mentalhealthmatters♥️🧠