Further
from far
the
sky and water melt into unison
the
blue sky high and the sparkling blue beneath
soft
water, silk to my toes, thick golden land beneath,
my
heart merry.
Water,
the water wet my feet, smooth batter beneath,
sweet
smell of water fading.
Sky
turns shades deeper, sinking to the shades below
the
waves upon my feet soft no more,
wash
silt up to my ankle,
beneath
melting under my feet.
The
winds, the voice of a stranger,
waves
wash ashore,
with
waves gone is the ground.
My
feet seek the thick golden, but it melts into oblivion
waves
crash onto boulders
the
water, the same, no more
waves
splinter the gravel
golden
no more, murky brown mud.
I
hold on with all my might,
murky
mud just melts away
shaken,
I turn around to run
waves
hunt me down
ocean
waves push me to the ground.
My
feet feel muddy water beneath,
my
heart seizes,
the
deep ocean, I struggle to swim
my lips
freezing, call out, but, muffled with salty murky water
I
gasp for air, but in vain
eyes
with pricking hurt see,
behind
me dear ones merry, soft water, blue sky, sea gulls and kites
before
me, ocean has long unleashed the storm
struggle
to be back ashore.
Winds
howling, the circle is closing in
my
scream smothered again,
now
darker deeper waters
struggle,
fight like never before
freezing…frozen
limbs
numb, sinking, deeper darker,
through
the struggle, I hear from past
“we’re
strong folks, we swim our way through,
Oh,
sweet smell of sea, ocean so calm,
only
fools can’t swim, only the weak will drown”
I know I fought, only I know, it was a storm
About
the poem “Sea”
The poem “Sea” is a fictional account that attempts
to depict the struggles of a person who is experiencing mental health issues
and suicidal thoughts. The experience may vary. Not all suicides are reported
to have underlying mental health issues and not all those who suffer from
mental health conditions die by suicide. Mental health condition is not specified in this poem, however ’fifty to ninety percent of those who
completed suicide did so during a depressive episode’. ‘Ninety percent
of people who either attempted or completed suicide had some psychiatric
disorder at the time, although only about half are diagnosed prior to suicide’ (Butcher et al). The harrowing experience
has been compared to drowning in the ocean. Stigma and few myths about suicide
have been portrayed.
Friends and family could also play a vital role in suicide PREVENTION. Please LISTEN to your dear ones, allow them to express their emotions and concerns, encourage them to seek professional aid.
The main elements are – sea/ocean/water and
sand/beneath/ground. Sea is depicting – mental health of the person and
perception of life. Sky and seashore – depicts more of what happens around him.
Ground – resources for coping, health, and capacity to withstand or survive the
turmoil (does not intend the person is weak or failing). There is much
overlap in what these elements depict. (combination of these aspects)
[further…merry]. The individual’s life is
initially portrayed as being happy, having vitality, person is healthy now.
Contrary to the misconception that only a person deprived in all spheres of
life would be at risk. {The sea is described as seeming benign and ground as
thick.}
[water, the water…shades below] – person does
not realise at this point but does feel that something is amiss and different
from how it used to be.
[the waves…under my feet] [winds voice…brown
mud] gradual deterioration of one’s mental health. Resources are fast
depleting, {winds sound like stranger as the person is now experiencing
something unknown and eerie; the water has more force, sand is less thick}
[hold on…push me] person is in turmoil, trying
to cope with the difficulties. The person does try to seek some help,
unfortunately it is too late (doesn’t imply that seeking help at a later stage
is futile, but ‘earlier the better’ adage applies)
[muddy water…vain] the person is suffering and
struggling. Mental health issues and other stressors compounded cause much
agony and despair. [muffled-] The condition (eg. depression) in-itself makes it
more and more difficult to get help.
[eyes…storm] to the outside world, everything
may seem perfect (kites, merry) but some people may be truly suffering and
struggling through a “storm” with regard to mental health. Their struggle and
turmoil are often discounted, they are unjustly accused of being ‘ungrateful’ and
‘selfish’.
[back ashore…darker] further suffering and
struggle. [I hear from past…] this is about the stigma and insensitive attitude
in society, those who die by suicide are thought of as weak/ foolish”. The word
‘struggle’ has been repeated to emphasise that, the person does struggle a lot
and try their best and are not weak. “society” would see life only from their naïve
perspective and not that of the suffering person. (not that suicide should be
glorified, but such an insensitive environment would deter people from seeking
help and also add to their suffering. (This is also true for stigma on mental
health in general).
Help protect rather than condemn.
About
SUICIDE
Warning signs (National Institute of Mental
Health And Neuro-Sciences)
Talking about ending life, talking about feeling
guilty, about having sinned, about feeling hopeless, having no reason to live,
feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, about being a burden to others. Talking
about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
Behavioral signs-Using alcohol or drugs more often. Often being anxious, restless, agitated-angry. Feeling sad and dejected. Isolation/withdrawing from family and friends (usually outgoing). Sudden reduction in social media usage / excess usage. Changing eating and/or sleeping habits. Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge. Displaying extreme mood swings. Preparatory behaviours- Giving away important possessions. making lethal means available.
Myths (PsychologyToday, Dr.Louise)
Myth:
Talking about suicide will encourage more suicides.
Truth: Talking
about suicide would reduce the stigma and encourage people to seek treatment.
Myth:
“They are saying this to get attention, they will not act on it.”
Truth: Do not
disregard the possibility of suicide.
Myth:
A person will not make another suicide attempt if they survived it once.
Truth: another
attempt may be made.
Myth:
Suicide is an act of selfishness.
truth: Many
people who attempt suicide feel like they are a burden, family and friends will
be better off without them. It is difficult for them to imagine that the things
will get better.
Myths:
There is nothing that you can do to help a person who is suicidal.
Truth:
Listening and offering emotional support is helpful. Professional help may be required.
If your dear ones feel suicidal do not keep it a secret, get help for them.
Myth:
suicidal ideation will never exist in the absence of diagnosed mental health
condition
Truth: Any severe life stressors could be precursors to experiencing suicidal ideation, though former may increase risk.
Some suicide
prevention tips recommended
by a suicide prevention resource center:
1. be a good
listener and encourage the person to share their feelings and concerns
2. acknowledge
the suffering of the person
3. do not
discount their feelings
4. do not be
afraid to ask about their suicidal feelings
5. encourage
them to seek the service of mental health professional
6. try to
reduce the amount of time they are left alone and reduce access to lethal means.
If you are suffering, please acknowledge your
own suffering. Suicide hotlines are available. Keep an account of those
who can be contacted for help. Reach out for help. Seek professional aid.
Maithri (Kochi)- 0484 – 2540530
Written By: Divya Padmakumar and Nayana Binuraj Antony, M.Sc. Psychology, 2nd year students, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi
Photo Courtesy: Google/ images are subject to copyright
