A MOTHER WHO DIED BY SUICIDE

 Life is HARD!!!

Women are having to step up in more ways than they traditionally were and it has caused such an imbalance in our world. The average mother today has to keep home, raise children, serve in the community, maintain a career, and be okay all at the same time. Tuh! No wonder there is such a mental struggle.

Society has trained us to believe that we don't need to show our struggle. We do not need to ask for help. Help means we are weak. A cry out is "just wanting attention." 

All the while, women are suffering. Some of them are suffering in silence. Some of them are crying out but they may as well be suffering in silence because no one is hearing them or taking them serious! The suicidal rates amongst adolescents and young adults have risen at record numbers. Though the suicide rates are highest in men and young boys, studies show that suicide rates for women are growing at a rapid rate, much faster than men. 

MANY people ignore the inevitable truth and not enough people in the community are coming together to make a change and simply extend a hand of help. Yes, we make social media posts. Yes, we share the latest event and news concerning suicide but that is just not enough. Women are suffering. 

Take a watch at this beautiful testimony! 

Mothers are overwhelmed!

Mothers are heavily stricken with the duties of life. It starts with carrying, bearing, and nourishing the growing life inside of you. Then, painfully birthing new life through an experience that is literally near death (and for some mothers tragically ends in death). Then, doing everything possible to create a safe and nurturing environment while balancing discipline and teaching. Then, watching them leave her nest and become their own after being all hers all this time.

For the single mother, there is no help in her household and from the time she wakes up until she lies down to sleep at night, much of the weight (if not all) is on her. For the unmarried but dating mother, there is this pressure of managing her duties as a mother, ensuring she is careful not to expose her family to anyone who could be a threat, and being open to finding love at the same time, THAT'S ALOT. For the married mother, she has to fairly divide her attention and love multiple ways to ensure no one feels neglected while often running out of the pour for herself. Everyone is benefitting but there may be a case where she isn't getting what she needs. 

It's not enough that we are aware of this alarming matter. We must take a stand as a community and come together to help. We can help in multiple ways, to name a few:

• Finding and giving local resources that help with parenting/counseling
• Offering to babysit for a couple of hours to give her some time to herself
• partnering with local businesses and churches for donations/services
• Offer tutoring, cleaning, organizing, running errands, supervised playdates
• Offer to cook/buy a meal

Ultimately, it is in our hands. We can help. When we see evidence of a cry, let's actively respond and show up.

LET'S COUNTERACT SUICIDE TOGETHER!!!