There is always hope....and there is always a reason to live.

I came across one of the most depressing stories these past few days involving an alleged suicide pact between a husband and wife, and the killing of their five children as well. The couple had both recently been laid off from their jobs and were facing extenuating circumstances in their finances along with several other families who are also experiencing some form of economic bereavement here in our nation.

I understand - the depression and the sense of hopefully, that is. So many people are losing their jobs; just recently the company I work for announced that they would downsize one whole department, releasing approximately one thousand of their employees. With groceries, gas, expenses, and just everything else rising, families are finding it increasingly difficult to get by, and some doubt that they will.

It appears as though this family had to feel the same way...with hopelessness and nihilism, they resorted to suicide and murder. It is a very sensitive subject, because I don't know if in their minds they genuinely thought they were murdering their children (hence, slave women often murdered their own children before they subjected them to the harsh and brutal realities of slavery...which to them was far worse than death....it's a wonder what the mind will do.) I do not excuse their behavior, and my heart goes out to those innocent children who never even had a chance to live, to make mistakes, to struggle, to overcome....it's really sad.


My heart goes out to the numerous survivors (imagine losing your child and several grandchildren in one day) whose pain, confusion, denial and resentment I cannot began to fathom, and yes, my heart even goes out to the couple who though suicide was a real option.

As a person who has survived a suicidal mind, and overcome a time in my life where it was a real option, this story is especially sensitive to me. Suicide is such a dangerous thing...and it should never be an action. My moment of deliverance came when I realized that committing suicide would be accepting my life as failure, it would be cowardly, and it would never really deal with the real issues. I found more strength in the courage and will to live, to face my demons, my past, and use my story to help someone else. I understand that there are not the thoughts that people generally think about while struggling with suicidal thoughts. Oftentimes our minds are not even operating in that capacity. Which is why mental illness MUST NOT be categorized as a "freak deficiency" or something that African Americans do not experience. Several African American young men are turning to suicide more and more, and so are several woman. In fact, men, regardless of race, are more likely to actually go through with the act of suicide. We are communities, as families, as churches, as entertainers, as friends, as coworkers, must be on alert of suicide, must be a safe place, and must let people know that the fact that you have considered suicide does not make you less than, or deem you as a terrible person. This is very serious.

If you, who are reading this, has ever considered suicide, or are considering it, please know that there is always a way of escape. There is always a reason to live, because living defeats the very thing you felt was insurmountable. It defeats and defies every evil force that has ever come against you, living laughs in the face of every person or thing that has abused you or has spoken ill of you. There is always hope - for tough times don't last always, tough people do. There are people who believe in you, who value you, and see the beauty in you. A storm may last one day, one month, one year, 5 years, 10 years, etc., but there is always sunshine after a storm. This may be cliche, but I have found this to be true....there is always an answer other than suicide.

Think about who you will affect, whose questions will be left unanswered...continue to weather the storm, continue to fight, and find joy in the little and simple things....the sun will always shine after while.

Stay strong readers and keep the faith....talk to someone and let them know how you feel....even if you feel that you are friendless, talk to someone....

Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1-800-273-TALK

24/7 - 365 days a year

Check Out The Suicide Prevention Lifeline Website.