A Message of Suicide Awareness

Hello Fellow Fibro Warriors

Each year, more than 41,000 people die by suicide. Too often, their friends and family find themselves unable to speak openly and honestly about the loss due to the shame and stigma associated with mental health.

Earlier this year, my son Francisco, found himself in a dark place struggling with some very ugly thoughts. As a Social Service professional with over 25 years experience working with suicidal teens and young adults the reality that my son was struggling with suicidal ideation terrified me. I understood all too well that I could not take my sons pain away or make his thoughts disappear. His recovery required a personal commitment. All I could do is guide, support and listen to him with an empathetic ear. Today, he shares his story with all of you in hope of reaching other individuals who may be going through similar or like situations. My son is Alive and Healed today because he came across someone else’s story. It is only by sharing our own stories that we can empower others to seek help, defeat stigmas and begin the healing process.

“CONT;NUE: Your Story Isn’t Over. I was going to wait to say all this but with everything that’s going on in the world I feel like I need to speak up. Let me start with THIS IS NOT FOR ATTENTION ITS FOR AWARENESS. Mental health is so important, I can’t stress that enough. In January/February of this year I began experiencing depressing and suicidal thoughts. In March I almost ended my own life. I’m going to share my story because it was someone else’s story and seeing the number 1-800-273-8255 that helped save my life. Depression can cause you to feel like there is NO WAY OUT, there is no other option. You’re in pain, all the time. You feel alone in a room filled with people. You just want to numb it all away. You’ll look for ways to numb it out, whether that’s through drugs or alcohol, and eventually it isn’t enough and you think there only one way to make it all go away. YOU CANT GET OUT OF A HOLE BY DIGGING MORE HOLES. If you find yourself in this place I ask that you please go seek help, you are not in this fight alone. There is a road that leads back to happiness, you’ve just spent so much time in the dark that you can’t see the light that leads to a better life. It took some amazing therapist, my family and my friends to help me get out of my own head. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and had been dealing with widespread body pain for some months. It started to affect my mind and I couldn’t focus or gather my thoughts the same way. My pain began to spike and take its toll on my daily life. This cut into my work life and my social life and I felt like everything was falling apart. I couldn’t gather myself and for the first time I found myself thinking “I don’t how much longer I can do this” and instead of reaching out I tried to stay in the fight myself. I felt as if I was forced to just live a life of pain and I knew that was something I couldn’t do. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN PAIN. Reach out, find help, find your happiness again.”~Francisco

If you are concerned about suicide and don’t know what to do, I urge you to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). They have trained counselors available 24/7 to speak with either you or your loved one.

Our Nations Heroes &/or their family members can call the Military Crisis Line, online chat and text-messaging service is confidential and free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to all service members, including members of the National Guard and reserve, veterans and their families. Speak confidentially with a trained, caring Veterans Affairs responder, and get connected to services that can make a difference.

Milly Velez
President & Founder
Fibromyalgia Care Society of America, Inc.