Debt May Lead to Fewer Options, but There ARE Always Options

This blog post is part of the World Suicide Prevention Day blog tour. If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit www.Suicide.org

Money Doesn’t Buy Happiness, But it Does Buy Options

I’ve talked about how money is more than just numbers before, how if you don’t have enough it leads to stress and a suffocating feeling. This is nothing new, in fact, there have been tons of articles and studies surrounding the topic of debt and mental health.

When you don’t have a lot of money, there is a good chance you also feel like you don’t have a lot of options. The longer the situation persist the more helpless it may seem. It is not helpless. While your options may be limited, you do always have options.

There is Always Help

I have fortunately never lost anyone to suicide, but I’ve come close on more than one occasion. Once something like that happens, it is very hard not to worry and constantly ask them how they are. Everyone will be asking them how they are and there will come a point when they just want to feel normal.

I took it upon myself to be the friend that was just their friend and not constantly asking how they were, no matter how badly I wanted to ask how they were doing. It was easier to do knowing others were doing that job.

I was able to avoid constantly asking them how they were because when attending Resident Assistant training in college, we had a session on the topic of suicide and suicide prevention. The one thing from that session that has always stuck with me is this: those that attempt or plan suicide, fail, and get help, almost never try again. 

How to Get Help

Life is always better, no matter how grim your circumstances may be. Perhaps it is too difficult to admit the trouble you are having with money or the mistakes you’ve made to loved ones. If you can’t bring yourself to talk to someone you know, there are strangers happy to listen and help. Reach out, if you can’t talk to someone you know personally call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit www.Suicide.org.

How to Help

If you know someone that may be suicidal, reach out, listen, don’t judge. Help them get the help they need. You never know when a simple call or text to check in with a friend could save a life. Always always, avoid judging them.

The only person that truly knows or understands what they have been through is the person that has gone through it. You weren’t there for all of it so don’t judge based on the part of the story you do know. You don’t know the whole story.

One Last Thing

I hope you never feel so trapped by your debt that you think death is the only answer. There is always help, pick up the phone and call. I also hope you never have a friend that thinks death is the only answer to their problems. While the options may be few, there are always other options.

Even if your friend is not at the point of considering death to deal with their financial problems, you can always work to be a better friend to someone in debt. Just always try to remember that everyone else has had a different life experience from you. Don’t assume they are going through the same things as you.