I know what I want to study in college. You know that point you reach where you're considering several things that are all very appealing, but you know you have to pick only one? That's the road I've been on for a while, and God was up in my face about which one I should choose. And it's a field in psychology.
There are so many stigmas that go with that field though. Why are people so afraid to be honest about things they're going through, whether it's therapy, medication, or just being in a really good spot? I mean, what do you hear when you ask someone how they are? 'Good.'
Come on! Are you having a terrific day where you feel like sunshine is glowing out your butt or are you dealing with something shitty and you really want someone to listen? People aren't honest enough with each other! But I know some people who are.
My friend Jon has been very honest with me. He has called me when he has felt like he's trapped in a hole. Last Friday he called me very upset while I was up at school, and it sounded like he was planning on killing himself. I am so proud of him for calling me. I understood what he was feeling like, and I refused to take it lightly. I went to the SRO at my school, and he helped me decide what to do about the situation. I ended up going to the police over where I live (The school is in another jurisdiction.) and they took care of everything. An officer called me later and told me it was a good thing that I had said something because Jon seemed pretty serious about hurting himself. It was that small bit of honesty that has kept him alive.
Honesty is not a bad thing, but people are so afraid of it. Maybe it's because people are brutally honest, and honesty needs to be accompanied with gentleness.
I recently watched a documentary called 'Boy Interrupted'. A 15-year-old boy named Evan Perry killed himself in 2005, and his parents made a documentary about it. I've never seen or heard a more honest story about suicide.
We need to look out for one another, and we need truth to do that.
I want to help people become comfortable with the truth.
