Justin Barnett: A Life and death issue

September is national suicide prevention month, so I decided that I would write an article about this issue. Since I have preached the funerals and ministered to the families of a few people that committed suicide, and because years ago I came very close to committing suicide myself, this is an issue close to my heart. 

In the winter of the year 2000, I was at the point where I was ready to take my own life. I took a little twenty-two caliber revolver, put it to my head, and I tried to build up the courage to pull the trigger. I had been depressed for as long as I could remember. I was addicted to drugs and alcohol. I had tried and tried to get clean and sober. I just could not do it. It led me to complete hopelessness.  

I had seen a handful of mental health professionals over the years, and I had been given a few different mental health diagnoses. A few of them had prescribed medications, but none of the medications really helped. After years of mental and spiritual pain, I was exhausted. Worst of all, I did not see a way out other than death.  

However, my life is very different today. Obviously, I did not take my own life. I found hope, and I want anyone reading this that is having suicidal thoughts or anyone with a loved one that is battling depression, to know is that there is hope! It can get better! 

For those that have never felt this hopelessness, please know that people who take their own lives have been dealing with incredible mental problems that are hard for even mental healthcare professionals to understand. These problems sometimes include some form of addiction. Often it is a substance abuse disorder in addition to some other form of mental illness. To make it worse, people often struggle secretly, alone because of the stigma attached to mental health issues. 

If you are not battling depression, I want to encourage you to be the friend that you would want to have to someone that is fighting this battle. Call someone or check in on them regularly. Send a card. Make a hospital visit. Be part of a support system for anyone that you know that is fighting depression. 

I also want to encourage you to do some things that are considered pretty radical in our society today. Talk to the stranger that you see that looks down and out. Smile at the person that does not look happy. Talk with the visitors at church and make them feel welcome. Do a random act of kindness for someone that you do not even know. Help make someone's day a little brighter. You never know what another person is going through. Small things, like a simple phone call, can make a difference in someone's life! 

Awhile back, one of the guys at church brought someone to one of our L.I.V.E. addiction recovery support group meetings. The gentleman spoke up during our group discussion time that night and shared that he had taken a shotgun out into the woods earlier that day. He was preparing to end his life when he received a phone call from the man that brought him to the meeting. He had called just to check on him, but that simple phone call made a life and death difference! The man said that the call made him feel like someone cared and kept him from going through with killing himself.   

If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide I want you to know that there are people who care! As a pastor, I want you to know that God cares. He has a plan for your life, and that plan begins with placing your trust in Him. It was only when I did this, when I placed my trust in Jesus Christ, that I found hope.  

I am extremely thankful that there were good Christian people that loved me and cared for me when I was at my lowest. They supported me and helped me. They led me to Christ, and in Him, I found hope. I believe that in Him, you also can find hope.  

I often give the people that I counsel who are battling depression two “prescriptions” to take. First, find two or three Bible verses that are encouraging and uplifting to you. Read these verses three times a day, out loud if possible. Read them once in the morning, once at lunch, and once at night before bed. Think about what you read for a few minutes when you do it. Take this “prescription” three times a day for six weeks. This should help with the battle that you are fighting in your mind.  

Second, make a list of five things every morning that you are thankful for. Make a list, and thank God for these things out loud every single morning. Take this “prescription” once a day for six weeks. Do these two things, and see if they do not make a difference in your life for the better.  

Most of all, if you are seriously thinking about taking your own life, please reach out to someone. You could go see a doctor or talk with a pastor or priest. There are also a couple of other ways that you can reach out to someone by phone. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text someone at the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. You can also contact me if you would like. Just please, reach out to someone! 

You may feel all alone, but you are not alone. You do not have to fight this battle alone. There are people who care. We want you to live! We want you to find hope!