Mental Health Poster

My husband lost his battle of mental illness to suicide.
People often say someone committed suicide. I won't say it. Would you say someone committed cancer? People commit crimes. Suicide is the final result of a complex brain illness.
He suffered for over 25 years. He fought it bravely. I can't stress that enough. He was a man of immense courage, humour, integrity and intellect. The best husband, father, worker he could be.
He traveled the world to try to out run the illness. He worked 7 days a week. He checked himself into the psych ward. He went to weekly therapy. But he wouldn't take meds. Because he couldn't do his job with the meds.
So he self medicated with alcohol.
In hiding. Always in hiding. He was so ashamed for his perceived weakness.
I had stopped him from 2 attempts in the past. He was so grateful.This time was different.
The week before he died he said how hard it was to be him. The week he died his therapist was on vacation.
We talked at the funeral. I said its not your fault. ...my husband was so confused. Yes...the therapist said. He was dying.

We had an outpouring of support and love. Friends, family, coworkers, classmates. They had no idea he was sick. Everyone surrounded us with kindness. Its how we survived. It's how we survive still.
Please reach out if you're suffering. Or to someone who is suffering or surviving. You are not alone.