The beauty of the Pursuit of Happiness is that no matter who you are, where you live, what you know, when you were born, or who you love, you can be happy. True happiness is above the five W’s and so are you. Learn how to find happiness in the good and bad times of life. Believe it. Read it. Be happy.
Joe Douglas
– Jr. Copy Editor –
A woman calls Life Crisis Services. She talks in a low voice, looking for help from herself. Clicks register over the phone as she continues talking about the little things in life that made her happy. Click. Click. Sheryl Bergin, former Life Crises worker, talks to her and tries to calm her down, making every effort to convince her to remove the gun from her mouth.
Many of us are faced with similar situations. Whether you, a family member, or friend have contemplated suicide, we have all been affected by these frightening situations.
On March 16, Cornell University student Matthew Zika jumped from the suspension bridge over Fall Creek Gorge to his death. In the previous week, two other students from the same institution committed suicide, all of these adding to the already alarming six suicides within the last six months.
Contrary to popular belief, suicide is actually more common during the spring season, specifically during late spring and early summer, according to eMedicine.com, and lowest during the holiday seasons. April and May have the highest number of suicides; December has the lowest.
It’s more important now than ever to stay positive. For many people it just comes with the sunlight and warmer weather. For others, doctors speculate, they remain depressed for other reasons than seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and are faced with their own sadness in the presence of popular joy. In combination with other personal and environmental factors, life’s stresses can boil to a dangerous, life-threatening point.
We are responsible for supporting our friends, coworkers and family when they are showing signs of depression, a leading cause of suicide.
If someone you know is showing signs of contemplating suicide including making a will; unexpectedly visiting family or friends; and/or purchasing a gun, rope or hose, first and foremost, encourage him or her to get help.
Let him know how much he makes a difference in your life.
If someone is exhibiting symptoms of depression, and doesn’t want to do activities that he normally enjoys, try to invite him and get him back involved.
If you are contemplating suicide, it’s very easy to focus on why you shouldn’t stick around. Instead, keep a positive outlook on how you make a difference. Ask a close friend or family member. If you aren’t comfortable doing that, try to think of ways you make a positive difference.
In any case, if you or a friend is having suicidal thoughts, or is showing signs of depression, feel free to contact Life Crisis Services, a free 24/6 support service, or make an appointment with a counselor at your college (314-984-7575 for Meramec).
You have the right to pursue happiness.
Feel it. Recognize it. Be happy.
