"Imagine" (Stop scrolling, take a moment and with perspective, imagine)
Imagine for a moment, you broke your nose. You feel pain because your nose is broken and it hurts; also impacted from the experience is your mood, motivation, appetite and perhaps even your desire to be social.
Now imagine, someone walks up to you 'while you're in pain, suffering with a broken nose' and that person asks you what's wrong. In a down sort of tone, you point to your broken nose and simply tell them, "I broke my nose and I'm in a lot of pain".
Now while there may be a range of different responses (sympathetic, laughter, prayerful, pep like or uplifting) it is unlikely that the person will look at your broken nose, call you a liar...and punch you in the face.
Why? Because it's tangible.
The person can SEE (and know with certainty) that "yes" that is definitely a broken nose; and...that person will respond with honesty, whether it be "I'm sorry", "Wow, that sucks", Sucks to be you right now" or "My positive thoughts and prayers are with you while you heal".
What ever the response, it will be reflective of the person delivering it, who absolutely knows, beyond a shadow of doubt, that 'yes' your nose is broken.
Do I have your attention? Am I creating a clear 'mental picture' that you can easily follow.
Ok...now let's repeat the process, only from a different perspective and with a different scenario.
Imagine for a moment, you were depressed. You feel pain because you are depressed and you emotional hurt and are mentally suffering; and also impacted from this experience is your mood, motivation, appetite and perhaps even your desire to be social.
Now imagine, some walks up to you 'while you're hurting and suffering with depression, PTSD or thoughts of suicide'; and imagine that person asking you what's wrong......and imagine, In a feeling down sort of way, you simply tell them, "I'm sad" or "I don't know how to explain it, I just hurt".
Now while there may be a range of different responses that you "hope, you might receive" imagine how blindsiding it would be, to have the person you opened up to, look at you, call you a liar, tell you everything is "ok" or maybe even begin making up their own reasons for WHY you are 'acting the way you are'.
Pause and think about that for a moment.
Why, do scenarios like this happen?
Because depression, PTSD and "thoughts" of suicide....is not tangible.
People can not physically SEE (and know with certainty) that yes, you are really hurting or suffering mentally; AND...the people who can't see mentally suffering, don't want to 'feel' like a fool, 'for believing something' that they can't see or understand.
Then there are other people who respond to mental suffering with disbelief, rejection, anger, frustration or perhaps even some other reaction that is also, not supportive, to the person who is already suffering mental hardship.
Millions of people across the planet experience and struggle with mental hardship. You don't have to believe anyone or anything that is shared with you; but please know, that (right, wrong or indifferent) YOUR response and YOUR actions (positive or negative) may very well create an impact.
Now....with regards to depression, PTSD and thoughts of suicide...I'm going to leave you with one final thought to ponder:
Someone who suffers with depression, PTSD and thoughts of suicide can suffer for hours, days, months, years, decades or even a life time; and some one who suffers mentally, may reach out for help 842 times....and just because someone reaches out 842 times, that doesn't mean you'll have 843 "opportunities" to make a quality of life difference. Take suicide serious, "EVERY TIME"!
With kindness, understanding and compassion,
Art Helps PTSD.