Stop Suicide Song – Would You Still Do It?

By Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC

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No one ever really knows what goes on inside a person. We don’t know their thoughts or feelings, but sometimes we can sense that something is wrong. We see sadness in their eyes. We notice a pulling away. We hear words of discouragement and despair. We no longer witness any playfulness or true happiness. Maybe we say something, but it does not seem to help. Or maybe we think if we give them some space, it will all get resolved somehow.

The signs of suicide might all be there, but somehow we miss them. Or maybe we do not realize how serious they really are. Surely, if we understood, if we knew that our loved one, our friend, our neighbor were in serious danger, we would help in any way possible. We would try our best. We would get the help necessary to save their life, to stop suicide. We would reach out if only we understood how serious the situation really is.

One of the most difficult things any survivor of a tragic loss must deal with is the guilt and endless number of questions, wondering why, wondering what could have been done differently. Most of the questions never get answered. The survivor eventually must accept this if they are to live their lives again. But it is not easy and some may never have any lasting peace. The pain will forever be a tender spot in their hearts.

When someone is seriously contemplating suicide, there are some important questions counselors usually ask them to consider. In addition to assessing for risk factors, family history, previous attempts, a plan and method, they are asked to consider other options and think about who would find them if they ended their life. How would that person or persons be affected? Sometimes they have not really thought about it or they do not want to think about it. They may not even be able to even imagine the pain others would suffer at their loss because they so desperately want to end their own pain. Their thinking may be totally consumed and clouded by deep depression, and for this they need immediate help. However, getting them to refocus and think outside themselves can bring them back in touch with reality where there is hope, and this can make a difference.

We wonder, if they only knew others would suffer a lifetime of heartache and never be the same, would they still do it? We ask, if they understood that others need and love them, would they still do it? If they knew that love is on their side and that people are ready and willing to help, to comfort, to strengthen and encourage them, would they still do it? If they knew they have so much to offer, so much to give and share, would they still do it?

These are the questions that we ask in the stop suicide song, Would You Still Do It, in hopes of helping hurting and desperate people to not give in to hopelessness, but rather to believe there is hope and receive the love and help offered to them. The answer to these questions we hope to hear is “No” because there is too much at stake. There are better days ahead. Love conquers all. There is hope.