The Student Newspaper of Highline College

An open letter to anyone considering suicide

Staff Reporter Dec 07, 2023

Hey there. If you’re up to it, I would like to extend some thoughts to you. I don’t have the ability to fix a problem, or stop the stress, but I would like to exist in your mind for just as long as it takes you to read this, and then maybe as long as you’ll have me after that.

My life has been touched by suicide at numerous angles, and even knowing that pain, I have still sought it out myself in the past. Those I’ve confided in throughout my life have had a countless number of remedies that worked for each of their own individual minds and souls.

Some found therapy and some found religion. Some kind of stuck with their routines but kept an eye on this dark fog that seemed to take up valuable lung space. Many relied on family when things got bad. Too many only relied on themselves.

It is possible to hang on for dear life with only willpower and a comfort TV show, but it does not have to be that lonely. Still, whatever you’re doing to step into your next day, I’m proud of you.

That’s it.

You may know more than me, or less than me about the disease of depression; I surely cannot tell you who you are. In reality, I’m not at all an authority on even the best parts of you.

The best things about you are far more consistent and unmoving than any person could stand to reason. But I am going to confidently say this: you need to know that I’m proud of you, and you are not alone.

You’re loved. You’re valuable. Most importantly, you don’t need to change in order to belong here.

You may feel every pain, numbness, and joy there is to be experienced on our life spectrum, and the most singular moment of both selflessness and selfishness is that you provide those around you with the uninhibited, true, and loving person that you are.

I can promise you with the truest evocation of being in this world that you never have and never will be, alone.

Take these resources; save them in your phone, write them in your favorite book, or text them to yourself for a loved one who may need it someday.

Suicide Hotline: 988

The Trevor Project Lifeline: 1-866-488-7368

SAGE LGBT Hotline for Elders/Caretakers: 1-877-360-5428

Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

Veteran Student Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (press 1)