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Thank you for coming to speak at our club today. Your program is powerful. I am so glad that you are making the rounds to clubs and getting the word out about suicide. I am glad you made that second choice.
Please don't ever stop what you are doing.
"Thank you again for sharing your story. At the risk of being unoriginal, I, too, would like to encourage you to continue sharing your story and your message!"
What you said really hit home for me. I have lost friends to suicide, and eleven years ago a very close relative of mine was ready to attempt suicide. She had a plan, and had I not found her "goodbye" letter just hours before she intended to kill herself, she would have carried out her plan. At the time, she was not very happy that her plan had been interrupted. However, she is now a completely different person. She is happy with two wonderful daughters, a great career and a fulfilling life, and those eleven years seem like a million years ago.
At the time, I remember feeling sad, scared and helpless. I didn't know what to say or do. I don't think I every fully processed what happened, I just stuffed it away because it was not something that my family wanted to be reminded of and they were dealing with their own responses to what had happened. In addition, it never seemed acceptable to bring it up. As a result, I don't think I ever fully felt like I got closure. Sometimes the emotions and memory of that incident unexpectedly arise, and I find myself reliving that fear and wondering what, if anything, I should have said or done differently.
My relative could have chosen to create and implement another plan to end her life. Instead, she had the courage to try to live again and has created a masterpiece in living her life. She has built and will continue to build a legacy of love for her children, her spouse, her family, and her students. I have often wanted to tell her I was proud of her for moving forward and choosing to live, but have always been afraid to do so given the stigma of even mentioning suicide and the repercussions it might bring within our family. I now feel like I have the permission and words to acknowledge her courage and to thank her for it. I also feel more confident in knowing what to do should- god forbid - I be faced with this situation again. Even if I had not had the personal experiences I have had with this issue, I know only too well that it is an issue that a significant number of the people we serve have dealt with and/or are currently dealing with.
Thank you again for sharing your story. At the risk of being unoriginal, I, too, would like to encourage you to continue sharing your story and your message! It needs to be heard. I do a lot of public speaking in my position and will certainly keep an eye out for opportunities for you to share your message. -- R.C.
During the speech I asked people to raise their hands if they have been affected by suicide...I must say that I was amazed by the number of people who raised their hands. --P.T.
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