A Letter to Depressed or Suicidal Friends,

I've felt the stings of heartbreak, depression, and even suicidal tendencies in the past. I wanted to take a moment to share a few small truths I've learned since those times.

Even in a suicidal state, though it seem truer than the blue tint of the sky, none of us want death. We merely want release and freedom from the pain we've experience and the depressing that we've created a cycle of. Too often the way out of those things is clouded and, as a result, horrifying. Suicide definitely is the easier answer to that horror but it's not satisfying for us or anyone connected to us. Removing life is not a release we experience for once we're gone, we're gone. We don't feel that release, there is no ecstasy or joy that follows such action. It can only worsen things for others and remove us completely from the opportunity for joy and all the wonderful things we desire (like the freedom from present pain and the release of depressing behavior). So hold on.

Only love, wise counsel, and the courage to act upon the wisdom and love we've received will allow us to experience the release, freedom, and joy we truly and deeply desire. If we have been depressing (because like it or not, it's a pattern of behavior we choose as a reaction to our pain) let's make the choice to walk out of pain, even if it's difficult and takes time.* It's not always our fault we hurt but if we let that hurt reign over us then we've allowed it to be our god and to control our life. However, we're not cursed to suffer forever. We have the ability to cry out and reach out to God and to others (friends, teachers, parents, family, counselors, etc.) who can help to heal us. We don't have to be alone in pain or the journey out of pain. 

It get's better. It really does. And it's worth the fight.

May you find your way out of death and into life. May your life be abundant in joy, hope, and love. May you overflow so that you may share your abundance with others and lead them out of death and into life. Peace be with you. 

*A fantastic book about the notion of depression being more about choice than oppression is Choice Theory by William Glasser. He is an incredibly successful counselor who teaches the reader how to properly see the way they are living, why they are living that way, and what it takes to change their life. While seeing a counselor is best, this book will help anyone who wants to counsel others and be counseled.