What does it mean to truly prevent suicide?

I’ve been asked this question plenty of times and I’ve thought about it ten fold. Having this project focus on veteran suicide benefits us in two ways. First, we can better understand the tribulations of our fellow veterans and honor their stories through this programming. Second, we can pick up on the military specific situations and how to best address them, while still applying what we understand to struggles with suicide within the wider population.

I believe a lot of people who do not understand depression or PTSD or suicide will put all of these on a scale of happy to sad. Happy being a place where suicide is never considered, sad being a place where such suicidal behavior begins.

I’m sure many of us who have been there or have seen someone get to that dark place even think of it as being “okay” and “not okay.”

The opposite of depression, PTSD, suicide, or stress is not happiness or “being okay.” It’s peace. So, to combat these problems, we should avoid the rewiring and pursuit of happiness, but rather be in search of peace.

Of course, I’m not implying that you should dismiss activities that make you happy, but do not be desperate for them hoping you’ll avoid your problems. Happiness, laughter, and excitement will mask and cover your anxieties, but only peace can truly replace them.

If I were create a Venn Diagram or some sort of graphic that would display everything that I’ve learned during this project, peace would include all of the more specific ideas. Empathy, purpose, mentorship, and truly mattering would all be inside this idea of peace.

Peace can be accomplished in different ways for different people. I wish I could wrap up these thoughts with a sure fire way of finding peace. Some people find it in certain locations, some people find it with other people, while others use meditation and exercise.

I’ve been fortunate enough to find my peace. I have found the person, the places, and the activities that have brought the perfect combination of happiness and peace to my soul.  It hasn’t been easy, it took me a lifetime to truly get there. it is something I have to put into practice each and every day. I’ve stifled my demons. I have turned my back on regret, guilt, and shame in pursuit of peace. I’m grateful for it, as I’ve found peace in abundance.

Continue to strive to be happy, but pursue inner peace.

Timothy Lawson, Founder
USMC