PWC (Poor Word Choice?)
A couple months ago, when I shared that I was struggling, a handful of individuals took issue with the fact that I included “suicidal ideation” in my confession. Suicidal ideation doesn’t have to mean that you are suicidal or that you have a plan, which was why I chose those words. The extent of my despair was that the pain was sometimes overwhelming enough that I wished I could fall asleep and not wake up. My intention was misinterpreted, though, and some people assumed I was a danger to myself or others. I was told that if I had such feelings, I should share them privately and keep them away from public scrutiny. Now, I am very fortunate that I have friends and family members who support me unconditionally. I could have reached out to them individually and gotten help. What about those who don’t know where to turn? What if someone hasn’t disclosed their illness yet but recognizes they need assistance? Why can’t they ask for that help publicly? It’s considered perfectly acc...