Okay this might be a weird thing, but when I was struggling with feelings of worthlessness and being a burden to people and struggling with su*cidal ideation when my depression was at its worst, one of the things that helped me was thinking about the fact that I could donate blood. The fact that I was alive could literally help save other people's lives. Even though I (thought I) didn't have any useful skills and even though (I thought) no one wanted me around and even though (I thought) I was a burden to my family and friends, just the literal fact that I existed made a positive impact in the world.
To be clear, your life is just as valuable even if you can't/don't want to donate blood.
But since this was helpful to me I thought I'd pass it along in case it could help anyone else.
My cousin died in a drunk driving accident today. For THE LOVE OF GOD. Please, please,please, please don’t drink and drive. Don’t get in a car with a person who has already been drinking please, please be safe. Life is too short.
"If you are there in the middle of ordinary life, it doesn't mean Christ has forgotten about you or hasn't called you. He has invited you to stay among the activities and concerns of the world. He wants you to know that your human profession, your vocation, your talents, are not omitted from His divine plan. He has sanctified them and made them a most acceptable offering to His Father."
As I sit in silence, the flowers whisper through the strands of my hair, “you’re more than what your deepest mind tells you. Embrace your flaws and stay with us for a while.”
After hearing from teenagers I work with about a group of girls overdosing on Fentanyl at their school because they thought it was acid. I just wanna say it's never enough to tell kids not to do drugs. There isn't enough harm reduction for minors. I think it's really important to understand that you shouldn't turn your back on friends who just started using drugs, especially if you are a minor. Please look out for them.
Encourage your friends to reach out to you. They say teenagers are suffering from depression now more then ever. It's a no brainier that the vast majority of those kids are probably going to experiment with drugs. I am not demonizing anyone for using. I want to humanize them as much as possible so people understand just how truly valuable life really is.
No one deserves to die of a drug overdose.
If you are using or know someone who is using. Please, please invest in a testing kit. You can buy them all over the place online. They differ in price range but I highly recommend buying a kit to test for fentanyl.
Communication is key. Ask your friend or tell a friend what it is you are doing in the event you overdose. Paramedics need to know exactly what it is they are treating you for.
NARCAN OR NALOXONE!!! Is a life saving drug given to people who overdosed on opiates. You can get it for free from certain resources just Google free narcan.
It is so very important to understand also that the effects of drugs aren't instant if you are swallowing them. Do not take more if you aren't feeling anything instantly. Give yourself time. Take small doses especially if you've never even tried the drug before and know nothing about it.
Please eat, drink and rest. Being high doesn't make you super human. You still need to take care of yourself. When I was using I would even take vitamin supplements. Just to make sure I was depriving my body too much.
If you are using needles do not share or reuse needles. Find any resources online in your area where you can do a needle exchange. This is important so you don't spread disease.
Talk to adults you know you can trust. Drug use, alcohol use and addiction is a slippery slope. You have to understand the human body has a limit. Nothing is as euphoric or glamorous as they make it seem on TV. The highs at first may be so amazing but those highs end up being lows.
Educating yourself before you use doesn't hurt. There are plenty of forums and pill report sites out there. People log their experiences to help other people. Find out literally everything you can. From the effects to what to do in the event of an overdose.
Also watch over your friends. Don't leave them alone if they don't have the ability to function. They are extremely vulnerable to violence. Don't leave them with sketchy people or in a sketchy place.
As someone who has used numerous drugs, overdosed, lost friends and recovered from addiction. I just want you to know that not only do you deserve to be happy and healthy. You deserve to be safe.
Anyone feel free to add on to this post. The more positive information the better.
Wednesday night I had a Best Friend reach out to me!! He was struggling after a long 12hr shift. Anxiety, depression, daily grind, PTSD past and present was weighing heavy. He struggled to make the call, but once he did he said the weight lifted.
Six of his friends dropped everything to be there for him & his family. He is getting the help he needs, and I check in on him & visit daily. He & his family know at any time, call, text, say something because his life matters to him, his family, his friends.
So please reach out to loved ones, 988 Hotline, YOUR LIFE TRULY MATTERS!! 🥹🫂❤️
Breaking my rules to post this. Don't go to Russia under any circumstances. Tell everyone you know, if you go, you will end up pushing up sunflowers in Ukraine.
Wonderful Things That May or May Not Be Wonderful!!!
You know what's wonderful! You! That's right. You! You're unique. Your life is precious! You are capable of doing great things when you set your mind and body to it. That is all you! You are wonderful and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.