I’m new here and still checking things out. I’m a suicidologist and I cherish stories like yours- the gritty reality of our darkest moments balanced with the fight to stay. Thank you for sharing. I’m glad you’re here.
You are so kind to share this very honest and personal story of your personal struggle with depression. The connection of depression to the publishing industry is so interesting and sadly, it makes sense. I mean think of some of the famous writers we love, Hemingway, Plath, Fitzgerald… many artists had bouts of depression and still do. We should talk about it more! Thanks, also, for the resource of 998 and especially the idea that if you suffer from depression you are not alone.
Thank you so much Kathleen for openly sharing this. I read it yesterday and your words have stayed with me for so many reasons. Your feelings of the world being better off without you were heartbreaking to read, but familiar too. At lowest of low points I’ve felt that and heard that from loved ones in moments that could’ve easily turned tragic in a split second. I’m so glad in your split second you had somewhere to turn for help. The 988 number you mentioned is important for everyone to know. Ongoing help like you describe is important too.
Openness about needing help for mental health issues and normalizing it in professional settings is another really important point you made. Of course it can be life-saving on an individual level. But it’s so important on a community health level. And personally, I would much rather fly on an airline, have surgery in a hospital, or have my child in the care of a school that supports staff being open about their entire well-being, which of course includes emotional and mental health. And like you said, people need to feel safe and not fear job loss or judgment.
I also love this reminder you shared: "Above all else, this is why you should be kind because you don't know what someone is going through. If nothing else, give someone the hope of a brand new day." - Thank you Kathleen.
I've been seeing more acknowledgement and discussion of mental health at conventions these days, so I feel like, at least in speculative fiction, there's more support than there used to be. Are you familiar with Gail Z. Martin? She's a spec-fic writer who runs in the same con circuits I do and she's been instrumental in giving a platform to discourse about mental health issues in our field. (You can see more at: https://holdontothelight.com/ )
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this. My brains particular wiring leans much more towards anxiety than depression, but even still, every single one of us has loved ones dealing with what you're talking about today. I remember in college, so many of my core friend group were going through serious mental health challenges, and I was desperate to find a way to help. (I ended up writing a children's novel, my coping mechanism: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374313258). We're all doing our best in this beautiful, broken world.
Thank you for this. Law enforcement officers (and retired LEOs) have higher rates of suicide than the working population . Much of this is related to PTSD, years of observing depravity and humanity at its worst. It's cumulative. Studies have shown that for LEOs, peer support is significantly helpful. If you need help - reach out to a peer. If you are a peer, check on someone. Thank you again.
Thank you. Physical disabilities are discussed in the open, but mental issues have not been. The more of us that speak out and speak up, the better it will be for everyone.
I’m new here and still checking things out. I’m a suicidologist and I cherish stories like yours- the gritty reality of our darkest moments balanced with the fight to stay. Thank you for sharing. I’m glad you’re here.
You are so kind to share this very honest and personal story of your personal struggle with depression. The connection of depression to the publishing industry is so interesting and sadly, it makes sense. I mean think of some of the famous writers we love, Hemingway, Plath, Fitzgerald… many artists had bouts of depression and still do. We should talk about it more! Thanks, also, for the resource of 998 and especially the idea that if you suffer from depression you are not alone.
Thank you so much Kathleen for openly sharing this. I read it yesterday and your words have stayed with me for so many reasons. Your feelings of the world being better off without you were heartbreaking to read, but familiar too. At lowest of low points I’ve felt that and heard that from loved ones in moments that could’ve easily turned tragic in a split second. I’m so glad in your split second you had somewhere to turn for help. The 988 number you mentioned is important for everyone to know. Ongoing help like you describe is important too.
Openness about needing help for mental health issues and normalizing it in professional settings is another really important point you made. Of course it can be life-saving on an individual level. But it’s so important on a community health level. And personally, I would much rather fly on an airline, have surgery in a hospital, or have my child in the care of a school that supports staff being open about their entire well-being, which of course includes emotional and mental health. And like you said, people need to feel safe and not fear job loss or judgment.
I also love this reminder you shared: "Above all else, this is why you should be kind because you don't know what someone is going through. If nothing else, give someone the hope of a brand new day." - Thank you Kathleen.
Thank you
Kathleen, thank you for your willingness to share with such vulnerability and depth. The stigma is still so real. I appreciate you!
I'm also thankful for the reference to the EMS providers.
They were my heroes that night. Kind, empathetic, and comforting. Amazing women.
Thank you for sharing your story, Kathleen.
"accepting that other people aren’t necessarily better; they’re just different"--Yes!!
Thank you for sharing this personal and important story. Depression is real and debilitating. I am glad you are here to share your story.
Thanks so much for this, Kathleen. Really glad you're doing better.
I've been seeing more acknowledgement and discussion of mental health at conventions these days, so I feel like, at least in speculative fiction, there's more support than there used to be. Are you familiar with Gail Z. Martin? She's a spec-fic writer who runs in the same con circuits I do and she's been instrumental in giving a platform to discourse about mental health issues in our field. (You can see more at: https://holdontothelight.com/ )
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this. My brains particular wiring leans much more towards anxiety than depression, but even still, every single one of us has loved ones dealing with what you're talking about today. I remember in college, so many of my core friend group were going through serious mental health challenges, and I was desperate to find a way to help. (I ended up writing a children's novel, my coping mechanism: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374313258). We're all doing our best in this beautiful, broken world.
Thank you for your words.
Thank you for this. Law enforcement officers (and retired LEOs) have higher rates of suicide than the working population . Much of this is related to PTSD, years of observing depravity and humanity at its worst. It's cumulative. Studies have shown that for LEOs, peer support is significantly helpful. If you need help - reach out to a peer. If you are a peer, check on someone. Thank you again.
Thank you. Physical disabilities are discussed in the open, but mental issues have not been. The more of us that speak out and speak up, the better it will be for everyone.
Thank you for this post Kathleen!
Thank you for sharing your story, Kathleen. 💕