The “S”-Word
By Dickson Flacc
It doesn’t say much that this is SUICidE awareness month, but when suicide rates in young-adults begin to increase at such an alarmingly high level during this time of unprecedented significance to human culture and identity, the “anthropologist” and “psychologist” in me begins to wonder what it could be related to and whether or not there is any support I could offer in order to perhaps illuminate for the alternative, i.e., the mentality of, “Don’t do it!”
Keep in mind that this is a no-children, single male’s perspective on the crisis, and for whatever that may mean to you, dear reader, is that this is only an opinion. And yes, while educated, it goes unspoken that the world may occur entirely different to you and for the audience that might be reading upon this at large or otherwise. Again this segment is aiming towards individuals who are contemplating suicide. ~ENTER SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE 800-273-TALK (8255)~Typically, you wouldn’t find this perspective any place else on the internet and which would not involve some class or money-making scheme to grab your contact info, or doing something you don’t want to, but I wanted to share a uniquely powerful perspective on the prestige of existence.
Fact: professional therapists have a welcoming attitude and positive outlook on life and by sharing your viewpoints and perspectives with them? They will not be altered or transformed in the way that they will enable you to do. In addition, it might be redundant to mention, however, a professional might carry a bundle of costs associated with his or her time, backed by insurance companies and promotional support of peers and colleagues in order to make a life for themselves to which they could address as being comfortable. So? In taking the daring leap-of-faith down this particular rabbit-hole of unique perspective I want to first congratulate you, and then notify that any blame and responsibility you might have in my intervention should be shifted to its proper place: on the individual themselves. And this is why I have to treat this seriously here and let you know that I’m not making any claims to this release to neither save or even potentially save, anyone’s life, although my intention is for that to be the case.
This is an exposition of work on the study of the “S”-Conception. No. It is not, “Serious,” or, “Species,” it is Suicide. I would like to point out certain challenges humans may be faced with and by, and any particular corners that are being overlooked which if paid close to mind, would potentially develop greater strength and stability. that we haven’t been attending to or paying close attention towards.
Well, let’s start with an important distinction: from what we know and share, there is external as well as internal element to existence as a human-being.
Life as we know it in our current society, is driven primarily by the pronounced impacts of the external world and thus we know what to say and how to say it. We come to know and understand how to think through others perceived as being more successful, who to talk to, where to go, what we want to achieve and become as individuals.
Initially, the origin for why the majority of our attention in life is given towards the external world may have some evolutionary relationship as pertaining to the certain needs of basic survival. Our need for food, water, shelter, and reproduction amongst others. Our human species became extremely good at this, and in fact, better than all of its competitors. Life could be perceived as being much simpler if this was where humans had stopped.
Society, such as the cultural civilization that we have developed and understand today, clouds our ability to grasp the importance of both the external world and of the unique identity of the internal self. And it is primarily the notion of “self” that I would like to discuss because this is the primary concern when dealing with the ultimate question of “life,” and where viewpoints and perspectives such as, “my body, my choice,” come to play.
Society often tells us things we might not be ready or prepared to accept such as: who to become, what to do, where to go, how to behave, what is possible and what is so. It keeps us organized and motivated to achieve and …but, also and unfortunately, our external world can keep the individual locked into a realm of judgement and comparison where they may even be dismissive of identifying the importance and value of self by way of considerations from their external world.
Look, I am not a doctor nor a therapist, nor anyone spectacular or remarkable in any way shape or form. All I do is offer unique perspectives and frame-shifts for individuals engaged with life-circumstances.
So? There may be a case where an individual already has everything they could ever want from the external world and they have achieved it all. Aside from our dearest friend Caitlin Jenner, there is nothing else left so conceivably worthwhile to accomplish. Maybe one of the reasons why I chose to become a musician and performer in the first place…there is no end in sight and it never stops so long as the music never stops being created. At any rate, there is a section of people like this and they have it all. But the one thing they don’t have is control. Control over how they will come to pass and cross over to the “other side.” So, it could be seen as formidable suicide to stick your bum down into a glider and choose to race down some highway heading ninety miles an hour. To most people, there is a good reason to avoid any situation that combines the level of risk with the imperceivable quantity of reward or perceived value. So? Ultimately, the question must be asked: who? Or, what? Controls death? And will the level of pain and suffering continue until the moment comes along?
A major point of mental health to recognize, is the understanding of the importance of utilizing self-induced, habitual language programs and formats meaning, I say something here on this page, is not really “saying” anything, but the voice inside of the head has already committed to “saying” it. It has a little more to do with the subconscious mind and what the individual will be receptive of, however, it is true and certain that the use of language is placed before us each and every day, often as though it has no impact on the human psyche at all.
In addition to this, is that along with being inundated by the external world of TEMPORARY circumstances, of rules and obligations and responsibilities to which we must adhere to, or obey and abide by, certain terms have yet to be established outright. The idea that, “I have something you don’t have…” or, “my way is better than yours…” or, “the grass is greener over there!…” these thread-lines of a comparison ethic of lifestyle are both natural and captivating identities to explore and expound upon in the external world that defines “success” primarily as being a causal relationship between one’s performance and the related achievement. When left to consider that life does not seem as “grand” as it “ought to be,” or, as it was thought out to be…”it did not show up like it was planned to,” an individual can lose their essential understanding that they have any power, purpose, or reason for existing.
Due to the nature of society and powers that wish to shape and control the human populace, the base-knowledge and understanding of the underlying importance of existence is often lost and carried away by the subjectivity and judgement which an individual could allow themselves to fall under. And whatever the pressures or circumstance may be, life is not meant to be “fair.” However, without ever exposing the limitless power of a human being that is truly innately present, how could an individual ever propose to themselves the notion that they have ever experienced a life at all? When consistently bombarded with the impression of an external world it can be easy to fall under the belief that a person is powerless and this is further from the truth than ever before.
Mental health and clarity are vital components In being capable of processing the vast and extreme level of opportunity and experience life as to offer each one of us, and it can become overwhelming for those who are seeking it, but yet only believe the “answers” to be relational with the outer/external experience.
Pharmaceutical drugs are derived and used in order to help an individual “get better,” and amplify or tune-up the external experience as rationalized by the majority consensus which overall agrees that this external reality is where we all must exist and depend on in order to thrive. Agreed: being present in order to support another is of major importance. Drug usage, especially in the vein of non-pharmaceutical use, inevitably keep a person continuing forward in the veil of good tidings and positive mentalities while amongst other people, however, what is a world without drug-use like? What is it like to exist internally or externally when any and all support is gone? In my opinion, the importance of clarity for an individual must be highlighted and underlined in order to get in touch with the mastery and essentially, “wizardry,” of being human. Ultimately, this suicide-trend in younger populations as well as in older is a person’s own decision, but granted, at least consider all of the options available before sacrificing the gifts that being human can offer. Start by seeking clarity within yourself and like I stated before, I am not a clinical, certified psychologist, or hold any medical degrees whatsoever, so no right or wrong here, bad or good, but assuming you have considered the latter option, why not consider asking yourself the following 10 questions:
What is my current state of clarity?
Do I plan for my future?
Am I important enough? Valuable enough? Strong enough to identify my own internal relationship with self?
Have I identified a purpose for my life?
Have I spoken to anyone else about my determined outlook and perspective on life?
Am I taking any mind-altering substances, or medications, and if so, which ones? Who is prescribing these medications? What for? And how often?
What are my sleeping habits like? Do I find it difficult to wake up in the morning? Or, would I rather sleep more?
Do I typically avoid talking to people either out and about, or over the phone?
How close is my relationship with my own internal dialogue?
How often do I digest media materials that inspire having a relationship with the outside world?