TN Suicide Prevention Network sees 63% increase in text to crisis line

[SheltieLover]

[link:https://www.localmemphis.com/mobile/article/news/health/coronavirus/tn-suicide-prevention-network-sees-63-increase-in-text-to-crisis-line/522-a6894cbe-96a7-4523-aca3-b1bd494a520d|

From March 2019 compared March 2020, the numbers are alarming. The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network is seeing a 63% spike in the number of folks contacting their crisis text line.

"That's a pretty big increase compared to March of 2019. Last year, there were 104 conversations. 85 unique texters and zero active rescues. As of now March of 2020, there has been 170 conversations, 108 unique texters, and two active rescues," said Justin Johnson, TN Suicide Prevention Network Shelby County Regional Director.

COVID-19 has many in a funk and social distancing does not help.

"It's pretty dramatic. You have to think a lot of people are at home. A lot of people are out of work. Recently, I heard a statistic that alcohol sales went up 55%. All those things factor into it; domestics. Everybody is in a lot more close quarters now," said Johnson.

Experts are saying this could last up to 2 years, or until an effective vaccine has been administered to everyone.

People are beginning to crack under the tremendous stress already after only a couple of weeks. 💔😭

[Jamastiene]

1. I have had to get used to being alone.

I'm not really that likable because I have become jaded and cynical and have a "fuck it all" sort of outlook. I have had to get used to living alone since taking care of my aunt for 30 years used up all of my young adulthood and middle age years and left me despising that I was once the altruistic type. What a wasted life. That part of me is dead to the world now.

At least I won't be clogging up those phone lines. I suck at everything and we don't have doctor assisted suicide on demand. So, I am too afraid I would maim myself. So, I gave up and am just enduring my life sentence. I am normally not allowed to complain, no matter what. I cannot believe how quickly people are cracking simply because they have to live like I have had to live most of my adult life. People have outright told me not to complain about it and that I didn't have a right and that they were sick of hearing me whine. I mostly keep quiet about it nowadays, because I am not really allowed to complain or discuss it when I feel that way.

I know how it is though. I can't tell anyone that they shouldn't complain or that their feelings are not important. I wouldn't do that. It's not easy. It's fucking hard, actually. It is cruel and unusual punishment, to be truthful. I am not surprised to see the more likable part of the population that is used to being able to be sociable just absolutely cracking right now. It messes with your self esteem really badly. It will gut you. It will make you long for death and see life as a life sentence of misery that you cannot ever escape. It feels like being tortured for the rest of your life. I understand that.

But, everyone else will all be back together, enjoying each other's company at some point. I won't, but y'all all will. Just bide your time and hang in there. This misery will be temporary for you. You'll come out on the other side and get to have a bunch of fun together again. Just bide your time and hang in there. It is about keeping your mind occupied enough to not dwell on being reduced to...this.