SoulCage
Student
- Dec 28, 2023
- 171
What is the purpose of this "mental health day"? They said it was about awareness and destigmatization. Making sure that people don't drown themselves in unhealthy coping methods (drugs, alcohol, etc) and instead are encouraged to contact places where immediate help is available.
I went to the event, because they listed a discussion between experts to talk about "suicide prevention". Probably, because I was hoping to not hear the same old bullshit that they always preach.
But guess what, it wasn't any different.
THough, I was surprised when they answered a question from the audience. They are aware that my country's government recently announced cuts in the budget for mental health programs and services - something that directly affected my current help program. And they didn't try to dodge the question, they directly pointed out all the reasons why this budget saving plan will cause more costs and loss of life in the long run. I respect that they see the stupidity of my government. But it's fucking crazy to hear that they basically can't do anything to prevent more suffering - except for offering this "immediate crisis help", which will be useless for a suicidal person when you can't show them a possible way into a better future.
But the worst part about this "expert discussion" was the fact that they invited a popular singer (for my country, not outside, I think) to this discussion, because she wrote a song about a friend who CTB when they were 17. And she was blurting out all those common stupid anti-suicide platitudes, which made me really mad.
She gave the good old guilt tripping "someone will always miss you" and later on she also talked about the wonderful things life has to offer - especially getting a hobby. I wanted to scream but my social anxiety made me mute and I just cried in the audience, not only for me, but for everyone who has to hear the same old bullshit.
This whole event just seemed like a big "let's pat ourselves for all the 'good work'." Festival, where everybody wants to feel good about recognition and not really giving real solutions for real suffering. Showing off that the little government funding is well spent on awareness and not actual help. And I have no doubt that some of the programs provide sufficient help for specific people... But saying that everyone is fixable with what they offer, is really a punch into my guts.
They ended the discussion with the obligatory "those are the numbers if you need help - and ther is always help" bullshit and I ran from the audience. Not sure if there was anything else afterwards. I just wanted out of this room.
I went to the event, because they listed a discussion between experts to talk about "suicide prevention". Probably, because I was hoping to not hear the same old bullshit that they always preach.
But guess what, it wasn't any different.
THough, I was surprised when they answered a question from the audience. They are aware that my country's government recently announced cuts in the budget for mental health programs and services - something that directly affected my current help program. And they didn't try to dodge the question, they directly pointed out all the reasons why this budget saving plan will cause more costs and loss of life in the long run. I respect that they see the stupidity of my government. But it's fucking crazy to hear that they basically can't do anything to prevent more suffering - except for offering this "immediate crisis help", which will be useless for a suicidal person when you can't show them a possible way into a better future.
But the worst part about this "expert discussion" was the fact that they invited a popular singer (for my country, not outside, I think) to this discussion, because she wrote a song about a friend who CTB when they were 17. And she was blurting out all those common stupid anti-suicide platitudes, which made me really mad.
She gave the good old guilt tripping "someone will always miss you" and later on she also talked about the wonderful things life has to offer - especially getting a hobby. I wanted to scream but my social anxiety made me mute and I just cried in the audience, not only for me, but for everyone who has to hear the same old bullshit.
This whole event just seemed like a big "let's pat ourselves for all the 'good work'." Festival, where everybody wants to feel good about recognition and not really giving real solutions for real suffering. Showing off that the little government funding is well spent on awareness and not actual help. And I have no doubt that some of the programs provide sufficient help for specific people... But saying that everyone is fixable with what they offer, is really a punch into my guts.
They ended the discussion with the obligatory "those are the numbers if you need help - and ther is always help" bullshit and I ran from the audience. Not sure if there was anything else afterwards. I just wanted out of this room.
