flipping the statistic
TW: Suicide
When I was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 20, I thought I was doomed. What kind of life would be possible for me? The only images I could access in association with mental illness were highly stigmatized– suffering, chaos, death. Was it worth trying to go on?
Nearly 20 years later, I wish I could tell my younger self this:
“Everything is still possible. You can have any kind of life you strive for. Bipolar disorder is a health condition that can be managed with medication and treatment. This is not the end. It is still the beginning of your story.”
Today is World Suicide Prevention Day.
Mental illness is not a death sentence. Over 70% of people who live bipolar disorder do not attempt suicide, but that is not the common narrative. Suicide is NOT the inevitable outcome of mental illness. Living well happily is well within reach. It is possible to get better. It does get better, if you let it. So let’s flip the statistic, change the narrative, and strive for what is possible.
#WSPD #MentalHealthAwareness #Bipolar #mentalillness #myyoungerself #asianamerican #asianamericanmentalhealth #livingwellhappily
Above is the post I shared on social media yesterday in honor of World Suicide Prevention Day, 9.10.19.
The numbers are grim and the estimate of how many people who live with bipolar disorder attempt suicide actually range drastically. According to the National Institute of Health:
“Researchers estimate that between 25% and 60% of individuals with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide at least once in their lives and between 4% and 19% will complete suicide (2).”
Those variances are significant. I got the 30% statistic from another source that cites a Center for Disease Control report.
Society focuses mostly on these dire numbers of those we’ve lost, but I’d like to encourage us to change the narrative around mental illness by also spotlighting success stories. More balanced public awareness around mental illness will inspire hope all around, which is an alternative way to prevent suicide than pointing only to the gravity of the problem.
There are so many of us who are living healthy, happy, productive lives. Let’s make that part of the narrative as well so that we can all continue to strive to live well happily.
If a loved one needs help, here’s an NPR article on how to help.
If you are someone you know is in crisis and need immediate help, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go here for online chat.
Above all, to those struggling, please remember, it gets better. The world is better with you in it.
Photo Credit: Kris Roller via Unsplash
