tight_wet_lips's blog post - I will answer

Monday, December 16, 2024, 3:27:56 AM

I received a text today. It was from a veteran. Unknown of the gender, but it doesn't matter. The text was "A friend gave me your number, they said you can help. I was in the Army and was wondering if I can call you?'

As a Suicide Interventionist, I knew what it was about. So, I replied right away and told the person on the other end that my phone is always on, and I always answer. Time does not make a difference.

The text was sent at 1300 my time. It is now 1917 my time and no call as of yet. I hope that whoever it was, calls me. It is the sad season for some and for veterans who need someone to talk to, it is a sad season all year round.

To NN Members, if you are reading this and feel down with no hope, call the Suicide Hotline. There are those who can help and find programs that can lend a hand or provide Support Groups in your area.

If you have a sad friend, please reach out to them to see if they are ok. Just ask, just show up, just remind them someone is there for them. A text hello or a text of any kind is important to those who feel lost or forgotten. A phone call for a few minutes does wonders to someone who just needs to hear a voice.

Leave the phone on.

Comments

Others Have Said:

Artistic on 16-Dec-24 3:37:33

Thank you gurl for being there <3

UnclePee on 16-Dec-24 3:44:43

You're the best, thanks for all you do!! Merry Christmas...

overshort2 on 16-Dec-24 11:53:42

Merry Christmas, T, and thanks for all you do.

jaxbig06 on 16-Dec-24 13:49:41

I couldn't help reading your blog, having read my comments about my exciting adventures at the nude beach. You are making excellent points about suicide prevention, early intervention and the like. It is indeed a vast topic, not to be taken lightly. If I could digress for a second, to illustrate my point. Without belittling or denigrating your experience and expertise, I will liken people who are contemplating suicide to terrorists advertising their next heinous act. I have had three opposite experiences - a former husband in my former family was very emotionally unstable, demanding, whimsical, you name it. So many years ago I experienced a truly melodramatic scene, suitable for a Greek tragedy - tears, writhing on the floor, hysteria, you name it. Yes, he threw in the expected threat to his ex-wife - "If you don't say XYZ and don't do PQR, I will commit a suicide". Well, she did everything that was expected of her, he continued abusing her. Last time I checked, some 30 years later, he is still alive and kicking, no suicide. And the opposite - an Army buddy of mine - merry, cheerful, as happy as you could see, tried to commit suicide - still remember the diagnosis - "tentamen suicidii per strangulationem". They saved him.
Another colleague - the best ever co-worker you could wish for - again, cheerful, merry, pleasant to work with, always smiling, ready to help, never any gloomy looks - took his own life at the age of 26. So, at least in my limited experience, folks who take their own lives rarely if never speak about it.
Going back to my original thought - from what I have read about (not so different) varieties and flavors of terrorism, they are all the same, despite some minute ideological differences. No true terrorist WILL EVER advertise - "we are going to blow such and such building, we are trying to kill as many as we can". However, we all know that when such an event happens, several groups fight for credit who did it.

Muffmugger on 18-Dec-24 16:39:22

Ty for taking the time to share. Merry Christmas

phillipfun on 3-May-25 23:24:24

👍 I hope that went well.