Stay. Tomorrow Needs You.
Who has to die before something changes? How many people have to leave us before we realize that there is an issue, an epidemic, that no one is dealing with? The World Health Organization reports that over 800,000 individuals, worldwide, are lost to suicide each year. 800,000 people. In the United States alone, over 45,000 people commit suicide each year. There needs to be a change in conversation, a shift in attitude. We need to focus on prevention, on acceptance, not treatment and avoidance. Mental health is not an easy topic to discuss. Trust me, I know. I know how hard it is to admit that somedays you don’t want to get out of bed, that somedays you don’t want to wake up at all. Ive felt the pain weighing down on your chest, and it hurts so much that you want it all to end. Yes, I know that these thoughts and feelings are dark and scary, and how in the world can anyone ever think these terrible thoughts and feel these awful feelings. I felt alone, I pushed people away, and I was under the impression that People Always Leave, and that no one needed me. So yes, I’ve felt this way before. And speaking these ideas out loud, well that’s never okay. Because once these words are spoken, it makes them real. But what’s worse, it lets people know that you are not okay. Society tells us that we have to be these perfect people with these beautiful bodies and incredible lives, and anything less than that is unacceptable. This quest for perfection leaves us broken down, bruised, beaten, and in that we are “othered”. And once that label is made, there is no turning back. So what do we do? We internalize the pain, we let no one see the hurt we are experiencing, and we pretend to be okay. But here is something that I have recently learned, through the help of some amazing people. It’s okay not to be okay. It’s okay to ask for help. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but rather, it is a sign of incredible strength. It takes courage to seek out help, and the fact that more an more individuals are getting the help that they need is truly a beautiful thing. But, we are still a long way from all the people in the world getting the help they need. The stigma associated with mental health, whether that be anxiety, depression, PTSD, etc., is still deeply ingrained in the culture we live in today. People should not be afraid of getting the help that they deserve. No one wants to feel like that, so why should they be scared to seek out treatment? They shouldn’t. But issues like toxic masculinity and stereotyping have found their way into all aspects of our lives, and because of that, people are scared that their struggles will put them in this “other” category, will make them different, and nobody wants that. Breaking the stigma associated with mental health is a step that needs to be taken seriously if we want any progress to be made. This isn’t to say, however, that erasing the stigma will solve all of the problems. It is a step in the right direction, but there is more we can do, as caring human beings that share this world with seven billion other people. A best friend. A classmate. A colleague. A partner. A sibling. A parent. You. Any of these people might be going through something and we have absolutely no clue. We go along thinking everything is fine, until it’s not. So let’s do something to change the ending of this story. Reach out today. Talk to your friends, your classmates, your family. Have an actual conversation about how they are doing. Change the ending of their story, because it does not have to end today. Let them know they are wanted, they are cared for, they are loves. Let them know to stay, because tomorrow needs them. Tomorrow Needs You.
If you or someone you know is struggling with any sort of mental health concerns, here are some resources here at OSU and nationally that can be of help.
Suicide Hotline: 614-221-5445 (Columbus Area) 1-800-273-TALK (National/Veteran) Emergency Services: 911 The Ohio State University Resources Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS): 614- 292-5766, ccs.osu.edu. Provides: • Urgent appointments M-F for students in crisis. • Referrals for counseling at all OSU Regional Campuses. • Confidential services for OSU students and spouses/partners. Emergency Department at the OSU Medical Center (OSUMC ED) 614-293-8333 Student Health Services 614-292-4321 • Health care services to students. Student Advocacy Center 614-292-1111 • Helps students navigate problems at OSU Student Wellness Center (SWC) 614-292-4527 •Helps with wellness and financial concerns
