I thought for a long time before deciding that I was going to go ahead and make this post. I worried that I might be prying into the personal life of the casual reader, or that it might turn some people away from reading. However, after long deliberation, I decided that the risk was worth the importance.
I don’t know what you’re going through in your life. I understand that it might feel overwhelming. That it might feel like there’s no way out. I understand you might be feeling hopeless, or like you’re a burden to those around you. I understand that you might be feeling like it would just be easier if you simply vanished.
I’m here to tell you that I’m here for you. I do a lot of volunteer work with suicide prevention organizations, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Crisis Text Line, and the American Association of Suicidology. I have spent countless hours manning helplines, hotlines, tiplines and textlines to do my best to offer hope, calm and clarity.
If you’re experiencing a crisis, I recommend reaching out either to the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling or texting 988, or Crisis Text Line by texting “START” or “AYUDA” to 741-741.
That being said, if your crisis is “less urgent,” you can always reach out to me, and I will never turn you away. I can’t guarantee I will answer immediately, but I’m pretty quick, and always ready to help and support in any way I can. You are amazing, and strong, and capable of so much in this world.
As always, you’ll always have a Friend in me. You can reach out to me via our contact form, or by emailing me directly at nicholas@thequakerlife.com.