After seeing the world react to Oprah's interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, I am very concerned with the chatter online about mental health.
Meghan opened up about how she had struggled with her mental health whilst pregnant, and was suicidal.
People online are criticising her for "acting" and it "all being fake and a lie", especially about suicide.
So I found a meme, and I posted it:
After a few hours, I received this public comment:
Thankfully I saw this within the first minute it was posted, and removed it. But I have seen others like it on the internet, and no one has removed those or moderated them.
First of all - I am so fucking sick and tired of seeing people say "people who are truly suicidal don't talk about it".
I don't even know where to begin with unravelling this one.
Of course people who are suicidal don't talk about it - THIS IS THE WHOLE PROBLEM. They feel they can't cant. They feel utterly stuck, and alone and feel like no one understands them. I can't speak for everyone, but when I've been suicidal I felt so incredibly alone, and felt that speaking about it wouldn't help a thing.
But it actually does. Your brain lies to you and tricks you into thinking you don't matter, and that nothing will help you.
I managed to see my thoughts for what they were and sought medical advice and help, but I know not everyone can see it like that.
Another problem is that when people DO speak up, they're blasted for being attention seekers. WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH THIS WORLD?!
We want to encourage people with these thoughts to speak up, not tell them "it's not normal to speak up".
Your thoughts, and feelings, are valid. How you feel matters, and you matter. I don't want anyone to ever feel so alone in this world that they can't speak up.
Clearly Meghan Markle felt like she couldn't speak up when she was going through a rough patch, which is why she spoke up after the fact.
A lot of us do this - we go through extremely rough times, bottle it up, deal with it and then speak about it afterwards.
What we really want is during those rough times to feel there is a space to open up and get the help we need.
There is no one way to do things and keeping silent when you're feeling suicidal should not be accepted as normal, or encouraged.
If you are struggling mentally and are seeing these horrific comments come up, after someone opens up about their struggles - please know they are not normal.
These comments come from ignorant individuals who have absolutely no idea about mental health, suicide, compassion and empathy.
Life is the most fucked up, complicated, and difficult thing and you most definitely aren't alone.
My advice to anyone reading this - if someone tells you they're struggling or are suicidal - BELIEVE THEM.
If you need someone to speak to, and you are in New Zealand ... Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
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