The Story of Aimee

Warning: this content discusses suicide prevention and is not suitable for all viewers.

Aimee,

young adult,

studious,

bliss,

light,

vessel,

fun-loving,

encouraging,

Aimee.

I,

Aimee,

Narcissistic,

Pessimistic,

Destructive,

Introvert,

Aimee,

I.

Aimee

best friend,

extrovert,

Nonblood Twin,

Intertwined,

Tenacious,

No better person,

Sister,

Aimee.

 I,

Aimee,

Oppression,

Deceit,

Opaque,

Exposed,

Raw,

The End,

Aimee,

I.

Aimee, I would give anything to go back to the memories that are circling my mind. To hug one last time, to go to the movies, or even have a sleepover and talk about that cute guy James that you always admired.

            If only I had known. If only I would have asked better questions. If only I had been a better friend. Maybe I would have seen the signs. Maybe I could have saved you from your pain.

Suicide Prevalence and Awareness

            The short poem is a snippet into the diverse minds of Aimee’s friend and herself. Often, people who desire to end this life show small signs. Unlike most people who commit suicide, Aimee enabled her closest friends to believe that her life was white over the alternative black, or grey clouding her mind.

How prevalent is suicide?

280 million people worldwide experienced some form of depression in 2023. Those specific 280 million people have been diagnosed at some point in their lives, yet how many people are implored with manifesting depressive episodes and not receiving help at all? 280 million people have been diagnosed with depression and only approximately 70 million were actively receiving help (whether medication or psychotherapy). That is only one-fourth of the 280 million people receiving help, not including the individuals who are not within the 280 million people (Suicide). 

            In the United States as of the year 2023, there were approximately 26,000 homicides which is less than half of the suicide rate for 2023. 48,000 deaths in 2023 were due to suicide alone (Suicide). According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, out of every 1 complete suicide = 25 suicide attempts. Therefore, it is our responsibility to educate our friends, family, neighbors, and pupils of these catastrophic numbers and a way to seek help.

How do we promote awareness?  

1.     Assess one’s personal feelings, thoughts, and actions.

2.     Create awareness of open expression of feelings within one’s home.

3.     Social media

4.     Work: restrooms, billboards, coffee bar.

5.     Gas station: bathrooms, billboards.

6.     Integration into School curricula at an early age.

7.     Community Support Programs.

Risk factors of Young Adults:

·      Aggression, disruptive behavior, depression, and social isolation.

·      Frequent episodes of running away

·      Family loss or instability

·      Frequent problems with parents

·      Withdrawal from family or friends

·      Expression of suicidal thoughts or talk of death or the afterlife when sad or bored.

·      Difficulty dealing with sexual orientation.

·      Unplanned pregnancy

·      Perception of school, work, or social failure

Suicidal expressions verbal:

·      “I can’t see a way out of this, I just want it to end.”

·      “Life is unbearable, and I feel like a burden to others.”

·      “I wish I could just disappear.”

Suicidal Behavioral:

·      Withdraw from friends.

·      Giving away belongings

·      Sleep disturbance pattern

·      Eating habits

What to Do?

·      Listen: As humans we all value relationships which is why non-judgmental listening can be so influential.

·      Encourage Professional help: When given the opportunity, gently suggest seeking help from a medical professional. Receiving professional help should not be embarrassing or shameful, but rather seen as a tool to promote our wellbeing.

·      Stay connected: Regular check-ins can help a person feel less isolated.

·      Safety: If anyone is in immediate danger, seek help immediately. Contact emergency services and if possible, remove anything that could potentially cause harm.

Ensuring that everyone receives assistance in a timely manner is crucial to the development of the person.  Prolonged intervention of the individual’s emotional self-harm can exacerbate the vexation and lead to attempted self-harm, physical injury, and demise.

Call or Text 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Definitions:

Suicide Attempt: All willing, self-inflicted, life-threatening attempts that have not led to death.

Suicidal ideation: the process of thinking about killing oneself.

Suicide/ Complete Suicide: The act of intentionally ending one’s own life.

Please note that the above story about “Aimee” is a fictional story.

Work Cited:

“Depressive Disorder (Depression).” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression#:-:text=Approximately%20280%20million%20people%20in,among%20women%20than%among%20men. Accessed 21 Aug. 2024.

Fosbre, Chyllia, et al. “23 & 24.” Essentials of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach To Evidence-Based Care, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, Missouri, 2023, pp. 377–400.

“Suicide.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide#::text=Suicide%20is%20a%20Leading%20Cause%20of%20Death%20in%20the%20United%20States,According%20to%20the&text=There%20were%20nearly%20two%20times,there%20were%20homicides%20(26%2C031). Accessed 21 Aug. 2024.