The Courage to Live
By Chief Danny Watson, City of Darlington Chief of Police
The curtain closes for the last time. The story has ended and you can’t begin again. There is no reset button on ending your life. People who make this choice do not realize although their pain is now over, as they fade into nothingness, the pain for others is just beginning. Imagine the pain and hurt that you leave behind for those who love you. I have personally known many children who never gotten over the death of a parent who commits suicide.
It is a very common thing for a child to blame themselves over the loss of a parent in such a way. In fact, there are many instances when a parent decides to commit suicide later the child of that parent will also commit suicide. Think for just a moment is there anything that is so bad that you will be unable to overcome it. Do relationship problems, no matter how difficult they may be, justify you taking your own life? How about money problems; are they a reason to leave others behind who will be responsible for cleaning up what you have left behind? Problems are fleeting; they will pass given enough time and diligence.
Yes, it is very common for people to have the thought of suicide enter into their head once in their lifetime. It should be one of those thoughts that you instantly recoil from just as if you were picking up a live snake. Death is permanent and it comes for every one of us. Choosing to kill your self is never an option. Parents, when you look into the eyes of your children and see that judgeless adoration – would you see that destroyed? Children, when you look into the eyes of your parents who love you without boundaries- would you give them a wound that would never heal?
Suicide affects so many people it is a shame that there is even one. There are people who will help. There is a way out. There are so many other choices other than that one permanent one. If you have a friend or relative who is contemplating suicide don’t wait do something. There is no such thing as being alone in the dark anymore. You can be a hero to those around you who would consider this horrible final act by being there for them. I encourage you to be that light in the dark for someone who is struggling, and hold that light for them in the darkness. It takes no courage to die by your own hand. The real courage is choosing to live.
Please seek help by calling the following numbers:
1-800-SUICIDE
(1-800-784-2433)
Military Veterans
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (Press 1)
Chief Danny Watson MPA FBI NA # 228, Chief of Police for City of Darlington, has been on the Darlington Police Department since 1994 and Chief since 2011.
The News & Press will be sharing updates and opinions from Chief Watson on a regular basis; you can also keep up with the department on their Facebook page: Darlington Police Department.