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It's Not THE END When You Feel it’s The End!

Ms. Snigdha Samantray

4 Min Read

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A Message of Hope on World Suicide Prevention Day!

In the darkest corners of despair, when the weight of life’s challenges feels unbearable, it’s easy to believe that there is no way out. It’s during these moments that the world can seem like a place devoid of hope, and suicide might seem like the only option. These were exactly Kevin’s feelings when he decided to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, September 2000. But I’m here to tell you that it’s not THE END when you feel it’s the end. On this World Suicide Prevention Day 2023, let’s embark on a journey of hope and resilience, and let’s find the strength and inspiration in Kevin’s journey where the life struggles, he faced turned into an opportunity for growth, and every setback into a chance to emerge stronger.

Life, with its unpredictable twists and turns, can push us to the brink of hopelessness. Financial troubles, heartbreak, loss, and mental health struggles can become insurmountable mountains that make us feel lost in the Abyss of Despair. For Kevin, It’s in these moments of despair the idea of ending it all may have seemed like an escape from the relentless pain. However, Kevin survived to realize that the human spirit is an indomitable force, born with the innate ability to endure, to adapt, and to find light in the darkest of times. There are many like Kevin who have survived suicide and have witnessed powerful growth when they chose life. Let’s have a look at some powerful life skills that can keep life going amidst despair.

The Power of Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back and adapt positively in the face of adversity, challenges, or setbacks. Incredible resilience resides within us all and it’s a valuable life skill to nurture. It involves maintaining mental and emotional strength during difficult situations, persevering through hardships, and finding ways to grow and thrive despite adversity.

Regular practice of Meditation and mindfulness are wonderful techniques that help build resilience and tenacity of the mind against stressful times.

The Power of Stoicism

Stoicism teaches us to focus on what we can control and accept what we cannot. It encourages us to cultivate emotional resilience by understanding that external events do not define our inner peace. Instead, it’s our reactions and judgments that shape our experience.

By practicing Stoic principles such as maintaining a sense of perspective, embracing adversity as an opportunity for growth, and fostering gratitude for the present moment, we can navigate even the most challenging circumstances with a sense of calm and inner strength. Stoicism reminds us that, in the face of adversity, we cannot change our experience, but we can change the experience of our experience.

The power of understanding

Whenever a person is going through low mental states or feeling suicidal, at a cognitive level there is an attribution error to these mental states i.e. they attribute the reason of their feelings to outside circumstances like a person, situation or an existential crisis about the meaning of life. It is important to understand that these attributions are the subjective interpretations of their state of mind which could have certain underlying biochemical mechanisms. Low mental states are associated with the prefrontal cortex, particularly the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) which plays a crucial role in regulating emotions and decision-making. Dysfunction in this area is associated with a reduced ability to generate positive expectations about the future, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness. It also influences our ability to positively evaluate the potential outcomes of our actions.

Neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine play significant roles in regulating mood and motivation. Low levels of serotonin, for example, have been linked to symptoms of depression and hopelessness. Dopamine, associated with reward and pleasure, can be dysregulated in depression, impacting an individual’s ability to experience joy or motivation. Hence it is extremely important to understand the role of these biochemical mechanisms and seek professional guidance and treatment that can help alleviate self-harm or suicidal tendencies.

The Power of Hope

Hope is believing that better circumstances or outcomes are possible, even in the face of difficulties or uncertainty. Hope can provide motivation, resilience, and a sense of purpose, serving as a guiding light during challenging times. It may be obscured by the shadows of despair, but it can always be rekindled.

Choosing not to suffer in silence, reaching out to friends, family, or mental health professionals who can offer support and guidance, practicing self-care, embracing optimism and gratitude and finding something meaningful to look forward are some magical ways to sustain hope in tough times. The human spirit is resilient, and hope, even in its faintest form, is a beacon that can guide us out of the darkest abyss.

When life’s challenges loom large and hope seems distant, it’s essential to remember that hope is never truly lost. Life was a powerful force for Kevin. He miraculously survived the fall but endured severe injuries. Kevin used the power of resilience, stoicism, understanding and hope in his recovery and transformed his experience to inspire countless lives. He just did not survive but he survived gracefully and meaningfully. He is now a global public speaker, a renowned author, and an award-winning filmmaker who turned his life around, dedicating himself to mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. Kevin Hine’s resilience and commitment to making a positive impact serves as a powerful reminder that hope can prevail even in the darkest moments of despair.

What feels like END is indeed the beginning of a new chapter in your remarkable story of resilience and triumph.

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Written by

Ms. Snigdha Samantray

Ms Snigdha Samantray is a Certified Clinical Psychologist and Digital Mental Health Specialist, currently working as a Program Manager and Clinical Psychologist at MFine. She played a key role in the establishment of the Psychotherapy specialty at MFine.

It's Not THE END When You Feel it’s The End!

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