by McKayla Holson, Editorial Editor
So this month is Suicide Awareness month.
Suicide and depression are more than just feeling sad, but I’m going to talk about sadness in this article.
Sometimes people who are sad talk about taking their own life or even attempt or do it.
I’ve noticed that I’ve become increasingly emotional and unapologetic about those emotions over the years.
But, me being sad doesn’t translate to me having suicidal thoughts or depression.
I’m just sad.
So I’m sad, I’ve been sad for a while, and that’s okay. Some of us are just sad people and we can’t help it, it’s just how we’re wired, and we shouldn’t be made to feel weird, different or like it’s a bad thing.
I still hide when I feel sad most of the time. It’s just so bothersome to other people I feel and there’s no way to fix it, it just comes and goes.
I’ve had friends tell me “you need help,” “you need medication” or “you need to talk to someone,” but I don’t feel I need to and I don’t want to.
Why do others feel the need to say things like this to people who are sad? I don’t get it.
We’re just sad sometimes and that doesn’t mean anything is wrong with us. Sometimes medications and counseling help people, but I personally don’t need that. I don’t want it.
Don’t get me wrong, medication and counseling helps, it’s just not something that I personally want.
Listen to me, I sound like a broken record.
Emotions are good, emotions need to be expressed. I am a full believer that emotions shouldn’t be bottled up, that just makes things worse.
But, because of the reactions others have, people are sometimes scared to express the way they feel.
I don’t want to be told what people think I should do. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the concern, it’s just that sometimes people go overboard with it.
Sometimes emotions are happy, sometimes they’re not. That’s okay.
Speaking of going overboard, don’t try to force explanations from people.
Don’t repeatedly ask someone why they’re sad because sometimes we just. don’t. know.
It’s frustrating when someone repeatedly asks me why I’m sad or why I look sad. Somtimes I’m not even really sad or upset at that moment. I just have a sad face I guess.
One of the most frustrating things is when someone doesn’t believe me when I say I’m fine and repeatedly asks for an explanation.
And sometimes people just don’t want to explain their problems to you. That’s fine.
People aren’t obligated to explain their lives, thoughts and emotions.
Keep that in mind if you ever press someone for answers.
I’m not saying “don’t ask your friend or family member how they’re doing,” I’m saying don’t grill them for answers when they obviously don’t have them or don’t want to give them to you.
To summarize, sometimes sadness isn’t really that deep and nobody owes a soul an explanation as to why they feel sad.
Now, if you do feel sad, or anything else, and feel that you need to talk to someone, reach out.
Reach out to a friend, family member, someone who you can trust or a medical professional and don’t be afraid to ask.
Students contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline or they can can request counseling services on the Northwestern website under counseling services https://www.nwosu.edu/student-services/counseling
Needing or wanting help is also okay. It’s important to reach a point in life where you feel comfortable with who you are as a person.