Depression is real, but jumping into the lagoon is never a solution
I am writing this against the background of some negative events that have happened in my country in recent times. A video of an elderly man who jumped into the lagoon to end his life due to depression was posted on social media a few weeks ago. People who saw the man before taking the plug tried to beg him not to do it, but the man didn't listen to anyone, and instead, he jumped into the wild ocean and died.
Yesterday, another person, a lady this time took the same step by jumping into the lagoon from the bridge in Ikoyi, Lagos. The marine rescue team was alerted to the incident and the lady was rescued before she could drown. The reason they said drove her to take that suicidal step was that she had an argument with her fiance who probably going back on the promise to marry her as planned.
But what bothered me the most about these incidents is why would people think that suicide is the solution to depression. This question bothered me all through yesterday because as I was watching the video of the lady incident. It's true that depression is real and many people have fallen victim to this deadly disease. One of the prominent symptoms of depression is the feeling of detachment and dejection. Many people think that the best way to treat depression is via a suicide rope or to jump into the ocean and sink.
Depression is a health condition that can't be treated with drastic measures. The best way to deal with depression is to speak out and seek immediate help. The suffering is not for the person to carry alone and the solution to the problem lies in speaking out about your feelings. It's always better to say something about how you are feeling than to die silently. It's about the human touch, connection, and love. When you talk about depression, it's a conversation, which leads to empathy and shared experience. When you speak about your experience, it enables you to think that other people are suffering too. It reduces the feeling of isolation and gives you the opportunity to grow and evolve as a person.
Talking about depression does not necessarily mean you have to see a therapist. Talking about depression helps to break the silence on depression and also decreases the stigma attached to depression and mental illness.
Depression is an illness and like all illnesses, it has its symptoms and causes. You cannot expect someone to have depression and not know it. Many people suffer from depression without realizing it. But if you have depression, you must seek help by speaking out, not jumping into the lagoon. When you are suffering from depression, many things can make you feel worse, but first, please listen to what your body and mind are telling you. Be open to seeking help for depression, ask for help, seek help and accept help when it is offered.
Don't be afraid to ask for help and don't hesitate to accept it. There are so many ways to treat depression such as psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acute Outpatient Management (AOM), Awareness-raising, Social and Occupational Therapy (SOAT), Religion/Spirituality, Education, and Non-medication. These interventions are readily available and affordable and can help improve the quality of life of people suffering from depression.
Together, we can defeat depression. Let's talk about it, open up and be there for one another. Talk about your problems, the solution is there, all you need to do is seek help.
For now, my message to the suffering people out there is that no matter how much you think you are suffering alone, the reality is that you are not. There is someone who feels the same pain as you. And you don't need to suffer this way anymore. All you need to do is reach out for help. You may not be able to solve your problem, but you can at least seek help and that will make a big difference in your life.
On a lighter note, my message to people is that suicide is not the solution to depression, it is only an option for people who don't know how to live with their problems. Don't follow the action of the people who fell into the lagoon. Even if there are one or two people who are suffering from depression, the power of support from friends, family, community, and the media will definitely make a difference in those lives. Depression is not contagious. Please speak out and seek help, then find the reason for your depression and work hard to get out of it.
Depression is real and a lot of people have been caught in the web of it. I agree with you, suicide is not the option and I hope a lot of people suffering from it can look at getting help rather than just ending it. They need to understand the value of their lives...it shouldn't just be thrown away. I wish a lot of people strength to keep holding on and to seek for help.