We need to talk about it, Suicide is real!!
Ian Crates
Certified Business Coach and Trainer | Business and Management Consultant | Investor | Entrepreneur
I decided to go for a walk this morning down our local beach. The weather was fantastic and just enough breeze to help cool you off.
As I walked down near the rocks I saw a person standing by the waters edge. I continued on walking but knew something was not right so turned around and walked toward him. I said it him it a glorious day today and he replied pardon.
This was a man focused on the water and not on me. He was dress in long pants, tidy shirt and shoes. Not what you normally wear down to the waters edge.
I said it lovely down here, did he come down often? He replied, he used to but no any more. I asked him if he was ok, and he replied yes fine. I knew he wasn’t, I had seen the look he had in his eyes before and knew he was far from ok.
We talked a little more then I wished him well and continued walking down the beach glancing back now and then to check on him. I came across two lifeguard’s off duty not far down the beach doing some maintenance. I approached them and told them of this gentleman and my concerns. We walk further onto the beach so we had a better view and I explained his position. As we watch he jumped off the rocks and entered the water.
The lifeguard’s and I went to his aid. As we arrived at the area the two boys entered the water without hesitation to help him, while I remain on the beach with the radio calling for assist. The young boys got to him and brought him back to the beach. I wrapped a towel around him and laid him down as I talked to him.
As I looked in his eyes this time all I saw was fear. He started to cry and I held him while we waited for the ambulance and police to arrive. He talked to me about how everything had gone wrong and he had lost everything he had and cared about in life. As I looked away to wipe the tears from my eyes I could see the tears in the lifeguard’s faces. This was a broken man that to him had not only run out of answers but options also.
People struggle every day, friends, family, neighbours and strangers. We need to start asking;
ARE YOU OK!!
Suicide is real and happens every day. We need to talk about, not hide it away.
If you are in Australia and need to talk to someone please call; Lifeline 13 11 14
Lifeline is a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
I Help You Take Control of Your Career, Business and Life with my 1-on-1 Coaching Program, 'The Life Builder Method' | Australia Based, Global Reach
5 年Wow I don't know what to say, what an experience, and glad you were there. As a Life Coach I often get told by people that their lives would've been so different if they'd met me 10yrs ago. For me, it's sad that people feel asking for help is a sign of weakness and leave it to when it's too late or too hard. If you're honest, you'll admit our culture is full of it. The whole 'are you ok?' campaign seeks to break that down and I'm all for it.
Senior Talent Acquisition Professional
5 年It’s not enough to ask if someone’s okay. People are active contributors to the depression of others by doing selfish things and being spiteful. Cutting someone off in traffic, ridiculing someone on social media for a lack of followers.....unkind behaviors make the world seem cruel. The problem is that on a day to day basis, society doesn’t operate with empathy and kindness.