My girlies went to school with LOVE written on their arms today. I normally don't approve of them writing on themselves (not that that stops them), but today I encouraged it. September 5-10 is Suicide Prevention Week and today is Write Love on Your Arm day. Don't cut your arm - write LOVE on it.
Severe depression doesn't discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, national origin or sexual preference. I bet you know someone who suffers from it - maybe a few someones. I know a few someones. A few someones who I love very dearly. The knowledge that the world sometimes feels like more than they can handle breaks my heart. I want to hug and comfort them. I want to slap them and shake some sense into them. Neither of those reactions has a very good track record.
But I can love them.
And I can support them.
And I can encourage them to seek therapy and professional help. It's out there.
And HERE'S something we ALL can do: We can work to erase the stigma of depression and mental illness so that people are no longer reluctant to seek treatment. We can stop talking about it in hushed tones and treating sufferers like pariahs. We can wear our hearts on our sleeves and our love on our arms.
Severe depression doesn't discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, national origin or sexual preference. I bet you know someone who suffers from it - maybe a few someones. I know a few someones. A few someones who I love very dearly. The knowledge that the world sometimes feels like more than they can handle breaks my heart. I want to hug and comfort them. I want to slap them and shake some sense into them. Neither of those reactions has a very good track record.
But I can love them.
And I can support them.
And I can encourage them to seek therapy and professional help. It's out there.
And HERE'S something we ALL can do: We can work to erase the stigma of depression and mental illness so that people are no longer reluctant to seek treatment. We can stop talking about it in hushed tones and treating sufferers like pariahs. We can wear our hearts on our sleeves and our love on our arms.
10 comments:
I agree whole heartedly.. did you know there is a FB group dedicated to this year round TWLOHA To Write Love on Her Arms.. I am a long time member
Thanks for the reminder. Did this last year. Time to write again for myself and all who share this debilitating disease.
I hope those who need help find it.
A-M-E-N.
So well said, and kuddos to your girls. Depression is so awful, and some people never get that help.
I wholeheartedly agree. And I have seen the benefit that professional help can give to someone who feels overwhelmed by the world. It makes all the difference. You said it very well - love and support are the key. I'd love to know what kind of reaction your girls got to there handwritten "tattoo".
BRAVO! Love this idea.
high Five to you! I totally agree!
I'll wear love on my sleeve too.
xo jj
Amen. It's one of those stigmas that's still "acceptable" Sad.
I've never heard of this idea, but I think it's a great one. Great post.
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