Testimony Tuesday: Suicide Prevention Edition Part I

Sep 18, 2018 | Main Article

She opens her mouth and breathes a sigh. Another task. While, attempting to get it done, another task approaches. Nevertheless, she pushes through, silently telling herself to remain positive. She even pauses to pray, asking God to grant her peace and to not be anxious. Task, after task, after task, she finds her body full of anxiety. Her body is strung so tightly she has to leave her desk, go to her car, and pray. Her hope is that through prayer she can find peace. She slowly makes her way to her car, sits in it, and locks the doors.Her throat tightens up to the point that she wants to vomit, but she doesn’t. It doesn’t matter that the windows aren’t rolled down and the heat is rising. As sweat drops down her forehead, her breathing goes back to normal. She speaks to God in her head, for her voice shakes when she attempts to make a sound. Tears pour from her eyes, as she fights the feeling of anxiety. Her body shakes, her lips quiver, but her body starts to calm. Yes, she is a little shaken, but God answered her prayer. While she knowsphysically she is not able to control her body, she fights to connect with God.


“God is within her, she will not fall” – Psalm 46:5

Suicide is not always black and white. Suicidal tendencies, idealizations, and thoughts do not always start one day and end another. In most cases, there are signs of struggle.

Extreme depression. Anxiety. Withdrawal from the world. There are thousands of signs. But it is not always the picture it is painted to be. How did it start for you or your loved one?

A family member passing? An abusive past? A failed grade? A harsh rebuke at work?There is no right or wrong way. However, many people find themselves at a point where they consider suicide.  This is why it is important to speak up about the topic, to spread awareness globally, so people can know just how real it is. According to the World Health Organization, an estimate of almost 800,000 people die due to suicide every year.

That’s 1 person every 40 seconds.

Can you imagine that even more than that 800,000 have attempted suicide? Worldwide, suicide stands as the 2nd leading cause of death among the ages of 15-29. With the numbers this large, it is important to find out how you can help.Last Monday was Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day. A movement that started officially in 2003 and has been observed every year on Sept 10. According to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, “..understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.”


“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”  -Psalm 119:50

In honor of Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day, a few women of the Washington, DC International Christian Church have shared briefly how their lives have been affected by suicide.

The women were asked three questions:
  1. Have you or a loved one been affected by suicide? If yes, please give a description of your experience.
  2. As a Christian, how has God helped you to overcome the battle of suicide?
  3. Why is it important to have a Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day? What does it mean to you and your family?

Please read here the impact suicide has played in the lives of these women:

Jasmine Adease

“Growing up I had times where I felt helpless and hopeless. When I was 24, I was diagnosed with depression. I came to the US as a 23yr old au-pair and had been struggling to adjust to my new life and culture. I lost a lot of jobs and was forced to move around. I ended up working for a single dad, who emotionally and mentally abused me. I was forced to work up to 100 hours a week with no pay. Anything that went wrong was my fault. I remember feeling so hopeless that I cut myself and made plans to end my life. Luckily, I was invited out to church, before things went completely out of hand. I built bonds with sisters in the church. If it wasn’t for these strong bonds, I probably would have given up on life in 2011.

As a Christian, I know that you will only make it to heaven and be with God, if you fight through the end. The ones that give up won’t make it. I know how much God cares about me and I know that if I have any doubt, I can call hundreds of brothers and sisters that will help me overcome my doubts, my fears and my loneliness. Before you decide to end your life, TALK TO SOMEONE! It’s important to have a suicide prevention day, people need to know that life is just too precious to give up. There are suicide hotlines with people who care and who will listen to you. I had to call one before too.”

Monet Foust, 17

“Yes, both a loved one and I have dealt with depression. For many years I struggled with depression. I experienced thoughts that made me feel unworthy and disgusting. That lead to binge eating and weight gain which made me feel more unwanted by society. I eventually stopped caring about my hygiene and appearance. For a long time I was numb. I knew God had more for me and my life so I never decided to attempt suicide. I wanted help and needed to get it. At the age of 14, I was admitted to a psychiatric ward, not because I attempted suicide but because of severe depression. I did not receive the help I needed but I eventually began to grow my relationship with God not to long after and my life changed completely.As a disciple God has shown me that this life is to glorify him and not others. With God I can stop living to please others, which will never happen anyway no matter how hard you may try. I’ve learned that it’s okay to love yourself and how to live a life that promotes a positive and healthy change. Being a child of God has lead me to a place where I can live free through truth. I don’t have to be afraid or ashamed. I can be me, God’s own creation.It is important to have a world suicide prevention day because it opens the door to change. For some, people who speak out on days like this can help.”

Anonymous 

“I felt suicidal when I was going through a period of severe depression in my life. The depression was triggered by a custody battle, and I wasn’t seeing my daughter on a regular basis.  It’s important to raise awareness of suicide because there are individuals whom may be giving the impression that their life is great, but deep down inside they’re suffering. Yet, but don’t know how to reach out.”

Candace Brown

“I don’t know anyone who has committed suicide, but I have had many thoughts about doing it. For me, I would just think about overdosing as a way out. What stops me is the love of my brothers and sisters in the faith and my mom and two sisters and nephew. Most importantly I know that if I committed suicide I would be separated from God. Having a DAILY relationship with God is key. I strive to read my bible daily, but what really helps me most of all is prayer and asking my brothers and sisters in the faith to pray for me when I don’t have the strength to pray for myself. Having a Worldwide Suicide Prevention Day brings about awareness to everyone, especially for people who don’t understand mental health in order to help those who do have suicidal idealizations.”



With God everything is possible. As young ladies and women, we must remember this, even in our darkest times. We are truly daughters of the Almighty God, who we can do anything through.

**If you are suffering in silence, please reach out to someone. There’s always someone to speak to. If you are reading this and would like to learn how to grow stronger in your relationship with God, please email or message the author.



How Do I Reach out? 


“No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame.” – Psalm 25:3a