Killing yourself softly......

Have you ever thought of taking your own life? Did you ever feel that death could be the only escape from the worldly problems you are surrounded with?

Read other day in the papers, renowned ENT surgeon Dr Hiranandani committed suicide in a fashion only a surgeon could have by cutting the exact vein which would lead to immediate death without any chance of survival. A privileged career, a posh residence, loads of money, illustrious family do not seem to be common reasons for depression or suicide. No ones life is what it seems like from outside. One can’t gauge the sensitivity and desperation of a person based on the outward appearance of his/her life.

This incident reminds me of a traumatic experience of my neighbour hanging herself to a ceiling fan. The worst part of the incident being, myself and my brother being the first people to realise that and see her hanging.

She was one of the most jovial and well kept women I have seen till date. She taught me to cook and sew. She was in her fifties, always immaculately dressed, very organised and active. She was sick for few months and was getting frustrated because she was used to a good outdoor social life. But it came as a huge shock that the frustration drove her to such an extreme step.

Society being more open about mental health here and also with my husband being a Psychiatrist, I happen to hear and see so many people being off work/life with clinical depression.

I do not know what reasons can justify killing yourself, or if suicide under any circumstances is justifiable at all.

Not the nicest of topics to write on or to even think about. But one can’t be oblivious to the fact that sadness can engulf people easily these days and who knows it could be me or you next.

Just a silent prayer, that god when he gives us the gift of life also blesses us with enough strength to endure the journey.