#SuicideAwareness Trends on Social Media

With a nation holding 17.5% of world’s population, India has the highest suicide rate among youth, aged between 15 and 29 years. With loads of efforts being made to reduce or preferably prevent suicides in India – the year 2017 has started on a positive note with youth supporting the cause on social media using the suicide awareness hashtag – #SuicideAwareness

To support the cause people are posting variations of the following on their timelines/Instagram:

My door is always open, any of my friends or anyone who needs to chat/talk are always welcome. It’s no good suffering in silence. Give a call, leave a text, drop a message on social media, talk to me. I have time and will always lend an ear.

The whole motive behind posting this on social media is to let your friends know that if they are having any bad thoughts, you are here to listen to all their worries without making any judgments. You may not be a therapist, but you can sure save a life by lending an ear.

Let’s take the advice of Mr. Stephen Fry, a famous English actor/comedian – who says:

If you know someone who’s depressed please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation, depression just is, like the weather.

Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through on the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest and best things you will ever do.

So speak up and reach out cause suicide is 100% preventable.