jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I was driving home last night at about 10:30. It was very dark - no lights around. Then I saw one of those large, portable signs by the side of the road. "YOU ARE NOT ALONE." That made me laugh. I could picture a scene in a horror movie.

A woman is driving alone at night, and she sees that sign. "What? What? Is there someone else in the car?"

Actually, there's a reason for the sign. It was placed about half a mile before a bridge over the Hudson River. Two weeks ago, a woman jumped to her death from that bridge. Still, would that sign actually change someone's mind about jumping. Maybe it would have the opposite effect. "No! I am totally alone!"

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

It is a sad shame that many people suffer in silence. While a person with a heart or other organ issue will seek professional help, those with a mental health issue suffer in silence. If a person were to have some form of brain cancer they would seek medical attention. If a person were to have schizophrenia or other mental health conditions, they are more likely to suffer in silence.
Many people who are depressed will be told by others to “snap out of it!” I wonder if a person who is deaf would be told to “listen harder!”

In actuality, those who suffer mental health illnesses, suffer from embarrassment. Many other people who listen to a person having an issue tune it out or are inherently lazy and don’t know how to seek mental health attention.

Not everyone can resolve issues other than a psychiatrist. While as medically advanced as we become we are still in the dark ages when it refers to a psychiatric disorder. Help someone get the medical attention they need!

Don’t wait until September to be Suicide Prevention Month. Do it today and help someone and save their life!

By The Way, Jerry you see what you started!

SteveFranz Loc: Durham, NC

I've been told many times to "listen harder."

charles tabb Loc: Richmond VA.

"YOU ARE NOT ALONE."

If I had seen that sign I would started looking up for a Flying Saucer.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's about as effective as "Think harder."

I've been trying to think harder for a week, trying to remember where I put my Tascam audio recorder. I'm pretty sure that it's somewhere. 😋

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Many professionals don't seek help because they are afraid that they could lose their jobs. Pilots are encouraged to get help, but many don't because they fear they will lose their jobs.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

I understand but a person with any illness MUST seek help. If an employer attempts to terminate, that employer can be brought before the EEOC and the DHR for wrongful termination.
The medical staff are bound by patient confidentially NOT to disclose any medical information with regards to their patient.

Many may feel embarrassed by their medical condition, but it is not a shameful set of circumstances. The completion of suicide can be prevented. We could still be laughing with Robin Williams and enjoying the musical gift of Brad Delp had they were here.

We all have a responsibility to help someone in need and is in less fortunate a situation than ourselves. I chose to stop this thread before I am dragged up the stairs by my ankles to The Attic.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

Stephen, I agree with what you are saying. In point of fact, there is more often than not too much talking in this world and not enough listening.