There Is No Shame in Getting Help

As a small business, its pretty taboo to express my personal beliefs and opinions…but this week I need to use my platform to say something very important.

Severe depression and suicidal tendencies. These illnesses do not discriminate; they affect everyone - male or female, young and old, rich or poor. It’s not a sign of weakness, or just about “having a bad day or two”. They are real, hard-hitting struggles that should not be ignored, shamed, or swept under the rug.

If you’re feeling or thinking these thoughts, I ask you to reach out and get some help. And if that person can’t help you, reach out some more. You’ll often hear people say cliché things like “but life is so great, just smile more!” or “I didn’t see the warning signs.” Depression, in its many forms, is not always visible or apparent and if you are suffering, there is no shame in asking for help, and there is no shame in asking for more help or a different form of help if you’re not getting exactly what you need. There is no one-all fix for everyone, so it might take some trial and error to find what will work for you, but there is hope. 

Suicide is not the answer.

Suicide is not the way out.

When you take your own life, you haunt the people most important to you for the rest of their lives. They’ll constantly ask themselves “why?” and second-guess if there was something they could have done. Sometimes the warning signs aren't there, and unlike other diseases or illnesses, it creates a wound in their hearts of your loved ones that never quite closes, even over the years.

You might think there is no one out there who cares, but you’d be astonished on how wrong you are – You are so loved. You are completely worthy. And you are not alone.

If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, always call your local emergency number first. If you need to talk to someone, please consider calling one of the following numbers.

There is no shame in getting help.

In Canada:
Canada Suicide Prevention Service – 1-833-456-4566
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868
Crisis Text Line – text TALK to 686868
Postpartum International Support - 1-800-944-4773

In the United States:
National Hope Helpline – 1-800-784-2433
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
Postpartum International Support - 1-800-944-4773



Photo credit to EverydayHealth.com