Today I am grateful that my job, which I absolutely love, allows me to help those in need. There are few things that can bring as much satisfaction as helping others.
I do wish, however, that more people in need could get help. I was reminded of just how many people do not get the help they need yesterday. On my way to work, my subway was evacuated just one stop from home due to a 'personal injury'. A little known fact in Toronto (and I am sure its similar in most big cities) is how many suicides occur on the subway tracks. I've known this for a while, of course, but I have never witnessed it. This time, as we were evacuated off the train, I could hear people talking to someone under the train, just one car ahead of mine, trying to reassure her that she would be okay. As we streamed out of the station, multiple ambulances, fire trucks and police cars arrived with sirens on. At first it wasn't clear whether it was a suicide attempt or an accident, but later in the day with no word about it in the news, it became clear that it must have been a jumper. An accident or a crime (if someone had been pushed) would have been reported.
The fact that it was Bell Let's Talk day, which is trying to bring attention to the issue of mental health makes the whole incident seem even more tragic.
Suicide is never the solution to a problem. Most problems can be solved. Most people don't really want to die. They want to live without pain. Most of the time this is possible. Often it requires help. If you are having suicidal thoughts, please reach out. There are people who care! My thoughts go out to the family of this woman.
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