Truths About Suicide: Truths for the Person Battling Suicide & Truths for the Loved One, the Caregiver, of Suicidality

Suicide is a battle many face— Silently. It catches you unaware whether you are the one struggling with thoughts of it or you are the one supporting a loved one battling suicide. Both of you need encouragement, support, and truth to help you in the midst of the battle for life you are fighting. The caregiver is the loved one or close support person who cares for the person struggling with suicidal thoughts, intention, attempts, or plans. Suicidality is an all-encompassing term including anything associated with suicide to include: suicidal ideation, intention, attempt, plan, etc.

It is important for many voices to come together in solidarity on this incredibly difficult and necessary topic. 

This article is a compilation of 4 voices, all touched by suicide, whether struggling themselves or as the caregiver of suicidality. These voices are strong mental health advocates raising awareness for others and speaking for the many who are still fighting silently alone. 

You are not alone anymore. Read these truths. Reach out. Call or text 988 in the U.S. to reach the suicide and crisis line if you are struggling right now yourself. 

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Truths You Need to Know—Truths for the Person Struggling with Suicide

Maria I. Morgan: You are NOT alone in your struggle. Past trauma often shapes how we respond to our current situations. Exploring this and understanding the root issues can help you take the next step in a positive direction.  Although you may feel like you’re facing insurmountable challenges, there IS hope. There are people equipped and ready to come alongside you – willing to listen and love you right where you are. People who believe in your God-given worth and can help you move forward in hope. Let the truth speak louder than the lies. Your life is priceless. You have so much to live for.

Amber J. Parker: If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself, know this truth. Your life matters. You have purpose, and your life has meaning. Keep hanging on. Don’t give you. Be brave and choose to start mental health therapy to help you with what’s going on inside of you. Don’t listen to the lie that it’s the weak who go to therapy. It’s actually the opposite. Those who seek out therapy are strong and brave. Find a trustworthy, supportive therapist. If you are already going to therapy, keep going. Don’t give up. I have gone through therapy myself—EMDR therapy. EMDR therapy helps so much with any emotional pain. 

Jesslyn McCutcheon: There are many reasons why you might experience suicidal thoughts (suicidal ideation). First and foremost, suicide is never the answer. You may feel hopeless, guilty, or ashamed. You may feel trapped or have severe mental or physical pain. You may no longer feel like taking care of yourself or may stop doing the things you once loved doing. You may have changes in your sleeping patterns, sleeping too much or too little. If you are tempted to spend a lot of time by yourself and in isolation, know that being by yourself with your thoughts to constantly run rapid in your head alone is not the answer. Don’t suffer in silence because you don’t want to burden someone else or don’t feel like anyone will understand. Tell someone you are struggling and get the support you need.

Geena Hymer: Harming yourself does not in fact heal the pain you are running from. It passes the torch of pain to those around you. Onto your children, your spouse, your parents and friends. Let’s be honest, leaning in to do the hard work needed to find peace is going to be painful, but finding a mental health therapy appropriate to your needs can provide you support to aid in your recovery from feeling compelled to harm yourself.

Developing a relationship with Jesus and digging into your Bible daily will be your strongest ally against the battle the devil is waging on your mind.

Discover what your triggers are and where your battles lie.

You have a purpose to fulfill here that only you can. Commit to bandaging up the wounds that hold you back. The world needs you. You need you. Jesus has got your back every step of the way. 

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Truths You Need to Know— Truths for the Caregiver of Suicidality

Amber J. Parker: I see you, friend. Let me share that it’s not your fault your loved one struggles with thoughts of suicide or has mental illness. You can’t control their decisions, but your support is crucial in helping them overcome and fight their battle against suicidality. As I care-gave for my loved one, I was weary and felt alone. If you feel that way right now, I understand. 

God held me up when I had no strength, and He gave me the strength to keep going and continue caring for my loved one with suicidality and caring for my family— To keep fighting for life. 

I hope you are able to lean into His power and strength also. You may find you need mental health support yourself, and it would be normal if you did. I sought out EMDR therapy and support for myself to process and work through what I experienced as a caregiver. 

You matter, friend, and it’s important for you to have the support you need also as you care for your loved one. 

I know your focus right now is on keeping your loved one alive. That is important. There can be support for both of you as you fight for life. 

Geena Hymer: The person struggling with suicide often suffers in silence. However, when they do reach out, it is likely to be quite subtle. If you notice a shift in who you know them to be, engage in a manner that does not shame. If they feel challenged or that their ability to share safely is threatened, it’s probable they will retreat. If your loved one struggling with suicide makes an attempt on their life or does die by suicide, their focus was not on the aftermath that would ensue and the pain others would feel.

Their judgment is completely overshadowed by the overwhelm and intensity in the painful lies they believe about their worth to themselves and others.

Don’t be afraid to have courageous conversations. Lean in with love as Jesus does.

Jesslyn McCutcheon: When someone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, the best thing to do is provide support during a suicidal crisis, encourage the person to seek and adhere to treatment, and help keep them safe. Help them develop supportive relationships and know the warning signs of suicide. The National Institute of Health has a flyer with many warning signs of increased suicide risk to help prevention. Some of the increased suicide risk signs are the person talking about killing themselves, talking about guilt or shame, feeling like a burden to others, or seeming preoccupied with death and suicide. Someone with severe suicidal ideation might start to make a plan to die, give valuables away, or begin saying goodbye to friends and family. Be aware of these signs and support them. Mental distress can include acting aggressively or very anxious. If your family member, friend, or loved one is struggling, be the person to bring them a torch in the middle of the night and check-in on them. It is not wrong to flat out ask the person if they are thinking about suicide. Some think it will put the idea in their head. It is actually the opposite. Many times that person is relieved to know someone sees how much they are struggling. 

Maria I. Morgan: As much as your loved one who struggles with suicidality wants to, they cannot snap out of depression/suicidality. Although they don’t want to do anything, it’s very important to encourage them to take care of their physical health – eat right, get adequate exercise, and sleep. You will probably need to take your loved one to their doctor appointments to be sure they follow through. Hearing truth spoken and sung can help refocus their thoughts. Because they are dealing with so many negative emotions, they tend to isolate. They probably will fight back on this, but do your best to keep them engaged in relationships with others – it’s SO important!

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As I bring these powerful truths to a close, I want to ask you: 

What truth stuck out to you? 

What did you need to hear today? 

Please share in the comments. 

You are not alone in your battle, friend, and at Choosejoyinthemidst.com , you have the opportunity to continue being encouraged and empowered to fight your battles from a place of strength. Sign up for the Choose Joy In the Midst Newsletter and receive a free resource to help you on your healing journey. 

Each of these writers have a message to share with others. 

Please check out their websites, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, and sign up for their resources and newsletters.

Jesslyn’s website: 

Follow each one on Facebook or Instagram. 

Learn, Grow, Heal.

-Amber

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Biographies:

Jesslyn McCutcheon’s Bio:

Jesslyn McCutcheon is a member of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NW Piedmont and the AACC (American Association of Christian Counseling). Since being diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder 24 years ago, she actively advocates and speaks regarding mental illness to normalize conversations around mental health. Her ministry, Fighting Goliath for Mental Illness, helps and empowers women who live with bipolar disorder to manage their symptoms more effectively through resources, lived, experience and incorporating God’s word in order to live a more fulfilling life. Jesslyn leads the Fighting Goliath Facebook Support Group. Follow Jesslyn on Facebook and Instagram.

Jesslyn’s website is: https://www.jesslynmccutcheon.com

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Maria I. Morgan’s Bio:

Maria I. Morgan is an award-winning author and speaker. She is passionate about helping women with anxiety and depression overcome negative thinking/suicidal thoughts, so they can experience freedom, joy, and purpose in who God created them to be.

Regardless of the age of her audience, her goal is the same: to share God’s truth and make an eternal difference. She lives in Georgia with her husband, Steve, their Whoodle (Wheaton Terrier/Poodle mix), and two Maine coon kitties – the perfect combination to fuel her creativity for years to come. Follow Maria on Facebook and Instagram.

Maria’s Website is: https://www.mariaimorgan.com/

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Geena Hymer’s Bio:

Geena Hymer began creating and writing at age 9 where she found it nurtured comfort and safety in healing from many difficult, traumatic situations.

She always believed there was a greater purpose behind her resounding strength. Her passion lies with helping others navigate the challenges that come from with recovery from self-harm and binge eating disorder. Follow Geena on Facebook and Instagram.

Geena’s website is: http://www.geenahymer.com/ and will be live soon. 

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Amber J. Parker’s Bio:

Amber J. Parker is a writer, speaker, trauma healing advocate, caregiver of suicidality advocate, and the founder of Choosejoyinthemidst.com blog and Choose Joy In the Midst, LLC, a business focused on empowering others in their battle through integrated truth from a faith, neuroscience, & psychology standpoint. Beautiful Truth Design beautifultruthdesign.com is her online store offering truth-infused merchandise. Her book (to publish in 2025) is for the caregiver of suicidality and trauma to help them navigate the chaos and turmoil of crisis caregiving in order to have increased strength, resilience, and hope. Follow Amber on Facebook and Instagram. Amber’s website is Choosejoyinthemidst.com. Sign up for the Choose Joy In the Midst Newsletter and receive a free resource.

Follow Amber on Facebook and Instagram.

Be Blessed friends and remember to share in the comments what resonated with you and blessed you. Share this article with those who need to hear these truths!

-Amber