(ThyBlackMan.com) The weights of the world right now seem to grow in capacity with each passing day. If it’s not things happening at the national level, we all have situations on the personal level that can take everything we have out of us. In the moments when the storms of life are blowing hard, it can seem like it’s just too much handle.
With that, it seems like the suicide rate has increased tremendously in the past years. People of all ages and backgrounds have taken their lives in a quest to find some kind of relief. It’s always a sad thing to hear because, despite all the craziness that goes on around us, life is precious. But a person’s inability to see that for whatever reason doesn’t vilify them.
Men deal with feelings of depression and suicide in ways that others may not. Because some consider the need for help as a show of weakness, a lot of times men don’t talk about their issues for fear of coming off as unmanly. But there is nothing manlier than understanding you need helping and taking the steps to get it.
So if you are dealing with suicidal thoughts or depression, here are some ways to ease your burden.
Talk to Someone
Too many men forego talking to someone because they don’t want to be seen a certain way. But none of that matters in the grand scheme of making sure you live your best life. Please, when you are feeling down, do not hesitate to confide in a friend. Speaking to someone that you can trust is an effective way of helping sort through any negative feelings you may have.
Find an Activity
A lot of times, men don’t have the right kinds of outlets for what they are going through. There are so many activities that you can do to help you relax and bring balance to your mind. From gardening to yoga, to walking to meditation, find something that allows you to focus on positive things; something that generates good energy for you.
Get Professional Help
I know that in the black community, seeking professional help is not always the first thing that we think about (there are too many stigmas attached to it I guess) but it should be. Mental illness is something that goes untreated far too often in our community and the truth is, a lot of the issues you face are rooted in mental issues that have gone untreated.
That last tip brings me to the discussion of mental health as it pertains to generations within a family. Studies have shown that you are more at risk to suffer from a mental health issue if someone in your family has. This is why it’s so important to know your family history and to be proactive about it. Having the knowledge will better equip you with handling these kinds of situations. Disorders like bipolarism (also known as manic depression) and schizophrenia are two common mental issues that can pass from one generation to the next. Knowing is the key to managing.
If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. Seek help and save your life.
Staff Writer; Rasheda Abdullah