A letter to those wanting to leave this life.

Dear friend,

I do not know you, but I know something about you. I know you’re tired.

I know life is painful right now, I know the future seems unbearable to think about.

I know how relentless the struggle is. Happiness seems like a distant memory. Perhaps, you are frustrated too, like you are sleep walking on an ocean of happiness that you cannot baptise yourself in. I understand.

The thoughts within your mind are cruel, and it is difficult to silence them – your days go as slow as the monopoly icon along the dark green road.

Most of all, I know how hard you work to hide it all, to pretend you’re fine, to paint a convincing smile upon your face and to act as if all is well with your battered mind.

I know that all of this has left you exhausted – that you’ve numbed yourself and hurt yourself and starved yourself in the name of hope that these voices would become silent.

Your hope seems a little tired? I understand friend, I really do.

I know right now you’d rather leave than live.

And even though I’m not standing in your shoes right now, and even though I don’t know you, and even though I have no right at all – I am asking you to stay. To endure your incredibly real and painful, totally senseless now because I can see your beautiful future yet to come.

If you stick around, you’ll one day reach the point of which this level of sadness can’t reach you – the future.

The future is filled with possibility, it’s a day you’ve never reached. There, you will not feel exactly what you are feeling right now. You may be stronger, healthier, and even see things differently. It will be worth staying for. Don’t decide your future solely on how you feel and think right now friend.

I hope I don’t just sound full of empty promises, I am writing to you because I too have felt how you are currently feeling, I know what is possible, friend.

Stick around, outlive the pain, become stronger – think of yourself and your loved ones.

This is a plea from your unknown friend,

Stay,

Hang on,

You are loved,

Things will get better,

Trust me.

Cry and take a deep breath – and call someone who loves you, when you let people in, the darkness and voice within your mind loses its power – trust me, allow others to carry your sadness with you until you are stronger.

I stand with you in this struggle,

Love.

NOTE: if you feel unsafe and are actively planning on take your life, please call Samaritans on 116 123.