by Joni Greever

Created on: November 07, 2008

1) Plump yourself up and go unarmed into cannibal country.

2) Volunteer to be a mad scientist's guinea pig.

3) Tease Ol' Ferdinand next time you see him - on his side of the fence.

4) Swim in the ocean after cutting your foot on a broken beer bottle.

5) See how many chugs of Everclear you can do.

A person has a better chance of coming out alive in these situations than one in an advanced state of depression. The ones most at-risk of completing suicide.

I hate to sound so cynical, but most completed suicides are beyond caring about getting the help they desperately need. There are no substitutes and there is no choice. Their brains have turned on them; they alone hear the relentless shrieking, telling what a worthless, hopeless, piece of crap they are. Self brain-washing they have no control over. They just want it to stop. There isn't the tiniest glimmer of light, of hope. It's dark, unending blackness. And the shrieks go on and on and on and on and on...day after day after day after day...

Their bodies manifest pain - here, there, here again, back to there. And the mental self-abuse is always there. Alcohol might help. For a minute. A few more drinks and their pain and rage, uncontrollable now, is turned outward to those who love them the most. A little jail time while families beg for court-mandated help that is ignored. They look and act normal. They're fine. The judges and others don't hear that screaming that is eating their loved ones alive. On and on and on and on and on. They just want it to stop.

They. Don't. Care.

They. Just.. Want... It.... To..... Stop

Brain diseases are one of the most common, yet misunderstood, conditions. With widespread education of these illnesses, the stigma that keeps too many from seeking help would be reduced. With all the medical advances, why a brain goes haywire has many theories put forth, but no real answers. The most heard and accepted of chemical imbalance is still unproven. Some are helped by pharmaceuticals, many more are not. Alternative methods hold more hope, I believe, but what can you do if help is refused? Although you know it's a myth, you hope against hope that reassurances from well-meaning, ignorant friends that huff, "If they talk about suicide, they won't do it," are true. Wrong, wrong, wrong! Talk about guilt! Though we aren't responsible for anyone else's actions, it keeps creeping in, magnifying the awful, awful pain.

When that inner voice gives them no peace, day or night, then death is a most welcome substitute.

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