I have publicly discussed suicidal thoughts since at least October 2014—almost five years ago. Many people thinking about suicide are struggling with abstract problems that are difficult to address because it is not obvious what concrete actions will help.
My problems are concrete, however. I have medical problems. But they can be cured. I can’t work because of the medical problems, so I don’t have money. Without money, I can’t buy the cure. I’m in pain, I’m in poverty, and I’m homeless. Those are concrete problems with concrete solutions. The solutions include other people supporting my recovery. I have been unable to receive sufficient support for over nine years. That is a concrete problem with a concrete solution.
I regularly ask for help. I have never received sufficient help.
Look closely at the messages from people who allegedly care if you are suicidal. A common format is:
- You have value.
- Ask for help.
- Call the phone number of this organization.
By reading critically, we see the truth.
- Because I have value, if I declare, “You have value,” then it must be true. By proclaiming your value, I am really telling the world that I am valuable and everyone should listen to me.
- Ask for help.
- But don’t ask me for help—call someone else: here is their phone number.
The people who tell you to ask for help do not care about you. If you do not ask for help, after you die, they will say, “I told her to ask for help,” and they will make everyone else feel sad for them because they heroically tried to save your life. If you ask for help, they will be the hero: you are alive because they heroically told you to ask for help. They don’t care about you. They want to be the hero. The only thing they need to do to be the hero is say, “All for help.” You and your life are the props used in their story of heroism.
“Ask for help” is a fraud. “Suicide prevention” is a fraud.
Do something concrete, such as heal medical problems or fix poverty and homelessness, or shut up.
