From Someone Who's Been There

My friend shared this video on Facebook today and it resonated with me. I have often thought about what I would say to someone struggling with suicidal thoughts as a survivor. Similar things have been said in the video but here goes. You cannot possibly imagine how good life can get while you're going through this, but it will. It will be more than you could have dreamed of. People need you. Friends, family members, strangers you haven't met yet, they all need you. You will be happier than you thought possible. You will be so grateful that you stayed. Other people will be so grateful that you stayed and (if they know) will tell you so. You are irreplaceable. There are important things that only you can do. Someday you will look back and cry happy tears that you made it. You will be proud of yourself. You will be able to help other people experiencing this in a way that no one who hasn't been where you are can. You are worth so much. It won't seem worth it right away. It will be hard. But years from now, when you've lived a good life, you will NEVER regret not giving up. I was suicidal for about six years. I self-harmed. I attempted suicide eight times. I finally broke that hold on my mind almost two years ago. I am happy. I have a good life. I have hope and plans for the future. Most of all, I am so grateful that I got another chance to live because life is unbelievably worth it. I promise that if you stay, if you keep fighting, it will be worth it for you. You can do this. I love you. I don't know you, but I have so much love and respect for you because I've been where you are now. And I believe in you. If anyone reading this ever needs to talk, I am here. I care. I will listen. Because you are worth it.