Blog 4 | Outlive

STORIES

I hope my words here can help believe that suicide is preventable, and recovery is possible.

Ishita, 27

Ishita (she/her) is a peer support specialist. She has experience working as a curriculum designer for environmental conservation, as a trained mental health advocate, and as an illustrator. She is inspired to share her lived experience to diversify the nuanced understanding of systemic injustices that people of different identities experience.

While I write this, I find myself to be out of that old yellow-stained dark room where I experienced my first depressive experience. I find myself out of the streets where I walked alone thinking about ending my life. I find myself in a quiet room, not lonely, but solitary with a beautiful touch of accompaniment by my beautiful partner who has loved me tenderly throughout the tumultuous experience. I am glad to have had some guidance around me to get myself out of the rut of suicidal thoughts. My parents looked after me, my mother reminded me that love can heal any hurt in the body. She healed me with her cuddle, her humming, her chai (mum’s chai is the best!) and her gentle nudges to my back. I felt supported after so long. What I realized in that experience was, that people who truly care about you, will look after you. But they may not be able to see that you are in pain, especially if such knowledge about mental health challenges is not there. I knew something felt wrong but I did not know how to communicate it. My folks knew that I was close to death, and they held on to me. I feel it is important to give your friends and family a try, at least just a nudge to see how they respond to your emotions as you go through difficult emotions.

There are times I don’t express many emotions I feel because I know the capacity of understanding that my loved ones have. And I think it is okay for people to have different levels of capacity. I think what’s more important is to know that it is worth reaching out for help, because we may underestimate someone’s care, or we may be blinded to it, or more so, looking in the wrong direction. Help is out there.

SUBMIT your
own story

Stories of hope help people understand their own feelings, and know they’re not alone.

Suicide felt like my escape from a bad situation, but therapy saved me

Meghna, 32

MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

How the Myth of Sisyphus changed my perspective on depression and life

Mansi, 26

MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Testimonials

The peer supporter was very supportive and reassured me exactly how I wanted to be reassured.

Outlive chat support seeker

She helped me out; she is a good one who supported me when I was feeling lonely. Now I am feeling good because of that peer, thanks to this platform!

Outlive chat Support seeker

The volunteering brought a sense of purpose and despite the limited people I could help through the platform, I know the learnings will remain for life. I try to utilize them in my everyday conversations and focus on my own well-being through self-care.

Outlive peer supporter (volunteering feedback)

For me it was an eye-opener about how mental health is connected to suicide.

Outlive YASP Fellow

The workshops were engaging, and the team was very open. I got to learn alot from the other mentors and the collaborative process really added to the learning. The workshops provided structure and a lot of clarity for the project and the expectations and now I am eager to take this forward.

Outlive peer supporter (training feedback)

This program helped me to look past the preconceived notions and misinformation regarding suicide prevention and gain an evidence-based understanding of the struggles and factors affecting suicide especially in young adults. The facilitators were very knowledgeable and created a safe space for the supporters to ask questions and resolve doubts. The in-depth approach really helped me imbibe the training given and use it effectively

Outlive peer supporter (training feedback)

I learnt how to be more empathetic and also got a real picture of how events can affect individuals. It's hard to accept when one hasn't experienced similar events, but the impact can be detrimental, and in those times it's important to reach out to a safe space. Outlive does that.

Outlive peer supporter (volunteering feedback)

Made me very independent and direct - confident - we were able to highlight the points that we wanted implemented. YASP gave us this empowerment to do it as youth - empowered us to speak in front of these policymakers.

Outlive YASP Fellow