Attempted Suicide: How Cincinnati Children's, Family and Friends Helped Save a Life
"Having opened up to others, better times followed"
At age 16, this young man hated his life and was in a lot of pain. After a failed attempt at suicide, he got help from the health care professionals at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, as well as family and friends. He learned how to open up about what was going on in his life. Today, he's a happy college graduate pursuing a career in the legal field.
If you're feeling down, and finding it hard to talk about what's going on…My story has a happy ending.
I share my story in the hopes it can help others suffering from sadness, despair and hopelessness. It was December 1999. I was 16. I hated my life, but no one knew it. I did not know how to open up to others about my pain. I hurt so much, I wanted to be dead. At least that is what I thought at the time. I tried to kill myself. I am happy to report that, while I suffered life-threatening injuries, the attempt was not successful.
During the summer of 1999, on a trip overseas, I was sexually abused. I was not able to share my experience with anyone. I was too embarrassed. I didn't feel I could open up for fear of negative consequences. I didn't know if others would believe me, or if I would be blamed for what happened. I just couldn't open up.
School began in late August. Disappointments followed in athletics, academic recognition and relationships. I was miserable. But no one had a clue as to how much I was hurting inside.
And I had no clue how much my family loved me. And how much my classmates, teachers and co-workers cared for me. And that what I was going through was typical of others who experienced what I had experienced at such a young age. And that there was help from all of them, and professionals, if I had known to open up to someone about my feelings.
The physical injuries resulting from my suicide attempt late that year were quite severe. I was an inpatient at University Hospital and Cincinnati Children's for over five weeks, getting attention for both my broken bones and broken mind.
I cannot tell you how lucky we are in Cincinnati. Help and loving care was immediate and overwhelming, from nurses to doctors and medical technicians, to family and friends, to school personnel and co-workers. I learned so much: my feelings were typical for what happened to me, my disappointments and feelings were not unique, and there are many people who know how to help kids and parents cope with the teenage years.
Having opened up to others, better times followed. The physical injuries healed and my mind has done great. With the help from Cincinnati Children's, I now understand why I felt so badly before my attempt, that help was just a call or talk away, and that if I had opened up to someone -- anyone -- I might have made a different decision on how to deal with my feelings.
I am telling my story in the hopes it touches anyone suffering sadness, hopelessness and despair. Things can improve. I offer myself as an example of ultimately getting the help I needed and improving my mental condition. I graduated from high school in 2001, and college in 2005, majoring in education. I thought I wanted to be a teacher, but realized while student teaching I would not be happy pursuing that career. So I picked another career in the legal field and am now attending classes to achieve that goal. I think I have found my passion, and my family fully supports my direction.
My message is to reach out and open up if something is troubling you. You will find out you are not alone and there is help. Things can get better. Just make the call, knock on a door, tap on someone's shoulder, and say; "There's something I need to tell you…I'm not doing real well…here's what's going on…can we talk???" As hard as it may seem, it will be worth it, trust me. Others will help you in your time of need.
This is a true story. The author is now 24 years old, continues to live in the Cincinnati area, and is very happy. He and his family are forever indebted to the staffs at Cincinnati Children's and University Hospital, for everything they did during those dark hours, days, weeks and months so many years ago.
