The one on the bridge

Trigger Warning: Suicide, self-harm

In this story written specially for World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, writer Smitha Murthy introduces us to Varsha, a young woman with a life-changing, life-saving mission. The story slowly traces a thread of a conversation, bringing it to an altogether unexpected ending. I Saw Her First explores dejection and disappointment, loss and loneliness. But it also makes an even more powerful case for compassion and empathy, for patient listening and a helping hand- one that is offered and extended, till it is taken.

Details of the episode

1. The corrosive pain of self-doubt.
2. How a listening ear makes all the difference.
3. How suicide is a worldwide phenomenon that needs urgent addressing.

Author bio

Smitha Murthy has spent over two decades working on and with content. She’s the co-founder of two ventures: LifeWordsmith Content and MyndStories. Smitha is the co-author of an epistolary memoir and writes for leading newspapers and magazines, including Deccan Herald and Kitaab.

Resources

Books

1. Reasons to Stay Alive – Matt Haig
2. The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression – Andrew Solomon
3. Hold Still – Nina LaCour
4. The Astonishing Colour of After- Emily X.R.Pan
5. Thirteen Reasons Why – Jay Asher
6. The Year of Magical Thinking – Joan Didion
7. A Tale for the Time Being – Ruth Ozeki
8. All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven
9. When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times – Pema Chödrön
10. Stitches: A Handbook on Meaning, Hope and Repair – Anne Lamott

To understand

1. http://www.aasra.info/helpline.html
2. https://myndstories.com/campaigns/suicide-prevention/
3. https://jedfoundation.org/resource/how-to-help-a-friend-who-is-suicidal/
4. https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/mental-health/suicide-prevention-employers.pdf
5. https://www.who.int/teams/mental-health-and-substance-use/data-research/suicide-data
   

QOTD

How do you deal with hopelessness?

Write to Srividya – srividya@myndstories.com