Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.

The World Health Organization estimates that 800,000 people die each year by suicide.

Each day approximately 2,200 people die by suicide worldwide. Think about that for a moment.

In Canada approximately 10 people a day die by suicide. Think about that for a minute.

I had read somewhere that, on average, eight people are directly impacted by someone’s death. Those people are immediate family members and close friends. For some that die, the number impacted maybe higher. Think about that for a minute.

Suicide is not an act that happens to somebody else.

Each of us has been touched by suicide either directly or indirectly. We may know someone that has attempted or know of someone that has died by suicide.

If you believe that you one of the lucky few that has not met anyone who has died or attempted suicide, let me introduce my self.

I am sixty two years old and I have recently retired from a career in mental health that spanned over thirty years. I have encountered suicide as a mental health professional and I have had friends die by suicide.

Suicide does not discriminate. Individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds attempt and die by suicide.

People choose to die by suicide because they want their pain to end.

That it was like for me.

My last attempt occurred three years ago. I was overwhelmed by a number of things that happened to me. I was in a very dark place and the pain I felt was overwhelming.

I wanted it to end. I felt I was in a very dark tunnel that did not have a light at the end of it. I felt that my only solution was to die.

My healing from that attempt continues to this day.

I don’t think I have completely healed from that attempt and I don’t know if I ever will.

Part of me wants to remember that day so I don’t forget what brought me to the place where I wanted to die.

I remember that day because I want to change things.

Remembering that day keeps me moving toward creating a world where there is no suicide.

Remembering that day keeps me focused on that dream of a suicide free world.

For me World Suicide Prevention is a step towards a world that does not contain suicide.

On this World Suicide Prevention I am inspired by the words of John Lennon. I would like to add these words to his song:

“Imagine there is no suicide, Imagine a world where we are as one, connected to each other. Imagine a world where no one carries their pain alone. You might say that I am dreamer, but I know I am not only one. Come and join us and we can live as one.

Let’s start the dream.