Social media showed me that on this day in 2009 I learned someone I knew took his life. I’m not a physician, but I had suspected the root of his issue was depression. He was always going to different types of doctors, holistic practitioners, and trying herbal remedies to fix his “pain.” From what I know of his family, they did a lot of enabling. He didn’t work, so they supported him financially, gave him spending money, and paid for his treatments and therapies. I suppose they didn’t know how to help him, so as long as his needs were met, they thought he would be okay. But when I found out he took his life, I wasn’t surprised. I felt uneasy and sad at the same time. My guess is he felt as if he reached the end of the road trying to heal himself and the only choice left was to check out.

You can’t fix another person. That is up to them. But if you or someone you know is struggling, assistance is available. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can help. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org