Suicide is an irrational, compuslive act to escape what "feels like" unbearble eternal suffering. Most of the time it is the result of a demonic like depression that squeezes the mind and soul of a person beyond what they "believe" is their ability to endure.
Suicide is always tragic. The pain of those left behind is dark, evil and cruel. There is NOTHING good about suicide, but it is time for something good to come out of this recent wave of young adults in our community taking their own life. The greatest tragedy would be that these young men died in vain with no lessons learned. Parents, engage in straight talk with your sons and daughters and their friends about the recent suicides in our community.
- Ask them open ended questions, questions that can not be answered with yes or no, about what they are thinking and feeling about life. Stay in touch with their thoughts and feelings. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
- Talk about suicide. Ask them if they have ever considered suicide. If so ask follow up questions like..."How would you do it?"... :"Do you have the means to do it?" If they say yes to both ask them if they have a time plan. If they answer in the affirmative to all three, seek immediate professional assistance.
- Make sure they understand suicide doesn't end suffering, it only creates more.
- Know what is happening in their lives including love interests, goals, dreams and people they are hanging with.
- Reenforce you love them unconditionally and assure them that together, there is nothing they cannot over come.
- Share your faith in God and ecnourage them to articulate thier God beliefs.
- Encourage them to stay connected to a faith community and to friends who share godly values and beliefs.
- Relentlessly speak words of hope and promise about their future. Paint a postive picture of their future, telling them that God has huge plans for their lives.
-Most of all, let them know God loves them and is always working for the good in their lives.
There is no fool proof means to prevent someone from taking their own life, we all have free will, but together we can minimize the risk of this darkness encroaching upon our young ever again. Please contact your pastor or reach out to a counselor if you need any assitance.
One more thing, the answer is "yes." People who have have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord go to heaven when they die, even if they take their own life. Romans 8:37-39.
Join me in prayng that no more of our young will enter heaven before they have lived a long, full life.
Peace,
Rick
