A Fight Against Suicide

A heartfelt exploration of personal experiences with suicide. A deeper look at its causes and path to prevention.

Suicide is a harsh reality and has sadly touched me profoundly on a few occasions. Each suicide gave me a deep sensation of loss and longing. It also brought regrets about what could have been done to avoid such a tragedy. It served as a deep reflection for insights on people's struggles, how we missed the signs, why it happened, and what could have been done to prevent it. But it also made me reflect on how to move on after a suicide. Healing after a loss is challenging, but compassionate conversations, support groups, counseling, and coaching can help survivors with the steps of grief.

Suicide is a silent crisis that doesn’t just affect those with diagnosed mental health conditions. It can arise from loneliness, emotional suffering, societal pressure, and desperate moments that push people toward irreversible decisions.

After the tragic passing of Robin Williams and many after that, conversations about mental health intensified, with many calling for increased funding for depression treatment and suicide prevention. While resources like therapy, medication, and crisis hotlines are invaluable, the truth is money alone won't fix the deeper issues driving people to take their own lives. As someone who has personally felt the devastating impact of suicide, I know that we need to think beyond just medical intervention. What I mean is, how can we create a society that truly values life, relationships, connections, and emotional well-being?

To do so, here are four key areas we could first address:

1. The Real Cost of Drug Culture

Drugs, legal and illegal, have a devastating impact on mental health. Science has proven how substances alter brain chemistry, increasing feelings of despair, paranoia, and emotional instability. Yet, despite education programs and public awareness campaigns, people, especially young individuals, continue to fall into the trap of substance dependence.

We need to look deeper: why is drug use so normalized? Why have we allowed drugs to become so easily accessible? And more importantly, what drives people to seek escape through harmful substances in the first place? It’s not just about educating people, it’s about changing the conditions that make drug abuse a common, often fatal, coping mechanism.

2. Respecting Life Before It Feels Disposable

Some people reach a point where life feels meaningless, where death seems like a relief rather than a loss. Part of this stems from how our society frames existence, whether through hyper-consumerism, social pressure, or toxic comparisons.

Our world glorifies breaking rules, success, perfection, and external validation, but doesn’t teach people how to value themselves beyond achievements or appearances. We need to embrace deeper, more meaningful conversations about self-worth, resilience, and the power of hope, within religious and non-religious perspectives. Life becomes precious when we nurture self-respect, real connection, and purpose.

3. The Isolation Epidemic: Emotional Neglect and Human Connection

Robin Williams once said, “The worst thing in life is not to end up alone, but to end up with people who make you feel alone.”

We live in an age where we are constantly connected, yet emotionally disconnected. Social media brings people together, but fosters isolation, unrealistic expectations, and silent suffering. The pressure to create a perfect life often makes people feel like they’re failing. Life isn't just sunshine and roses, it is a blend of joy and hardship, something people might not always expect or know how to deal with.

We must redefine human connection. A like or comment on Facebook is not comparable to genuine personal support. We need real face-to-face relationships, spaces where vulnerability is welcome, and conversations beyond surface-level interactions. We need respectful conversations that bring growth and allow differences to be explored peacefully to understand each other better. People need physical experiences to manage the ups and downs of life. Hearing others' stories can help someone see that struggle and happiness coexist. We must learn to embrace such sides, knowing that every setback can shape resilience, and every moment of joy can boost energy, give us a deep sense of gratitude, and remind us that life is worth living. We must embrace the fact that the beauty of life lies in both its simplest joys and its deepest sorrows.

4. Changing the Way We Respond to Suffering

Too often, suicide prevention discussions happen after tragedy strikes, when it is too late. But the signs of distress are almost always there. Look for withdrawal, hopelessness, sadness, emotional exhaustion, and even anger towards society. The problem is, we don’t always take suffering seriously, misdiagnose it, overlook it, or dismiss it until it's too late.

What if we could change that? What if society could place more value on kindness, human connection, and emotional support, instead of just fake online connections, productivity, and success at all costs? What if we actively reached out to those struggling, not just with empty words like “I’m here if you need me”, but with real physical presence, patience, and understanding? What if we were truly present with a person and regularly checked with a phone call or by seeing each other to feel less isolated? What if we offered kindness and support that encourage small steps forward? We must think of what we can do to help improve others' lives, and start with our close family, friends, and loved ones. We must question whether what we are doing is enough.

5. Every Small Act Matters

And let me say this! We don't have to be mental health professionals to make a difference. Sure, such training is valuable, but sometimes, a simple conversation, an act of kindness, or a moment of empathy can change perspectives, save a life, without ever realizing we did that. I realized that after receiving letters from people I barely remember talking to. Their heartfelt thanks touched me deeply and reminded me that everyone can make a difference in people's lives daily.

We must stop treating suicide as just a mental health issue. It is a societal issue, a cultural issue, and a human issue. By addressing drug accessibility, redefining life’s values, changing our attitude towards unhealthy digital culture, embracing real deep friendships, and building a network of real emotional support, we can create a world where fewer people feel alone and more people find reasons to hold on. We have the power to do so. So next time, you see someone who could use help or is suffering, don't walk away or turn your back on that person. Take it on yourself to listen and spend a little time understanding their struggles. Figure out something to improve their situation if you can. We all hold the power of presence and to heal. A little compassion does go a long way!

Categories: : Coaching Tips, Wellness