Random Topic Writing Challenge - Depression, PTSD, and a "glimmer of hope"

Actually, I'm not gonna pick a "random topic" today...  Today what I'm going to write about is Depression and about PTSD and the strength that those of us who deal with (and maybe even struggle with) these things have.

If you struggle with Depression/PTSD and you are reading this post, then you have shown to have much strength....  More than you may even be aware that you have.  I don't mean to sound morbid, but a person can easily come up with a wide variety of ways to "off" themselves or take their own life.  The fact that you are still here and still struggling on shows that you (or at least your sub-conscious) recognize that there is a reason for you to be alive on this earth and that you have the strength to hold on to that hope (no matter how small it is).  It is this holding on to this hope that shows our strength.  It shows your unwillingness to give up on life and to keep reaching for the next "tomorrow" and the next and the next.

As those of you who struggle with Depression and/or PTSD know, each day can be a struggle not to want to give up.  Thankfully I don't have as much trouble as some, but it does run in my family  - and my mom killed herself due to having Depression (as well as Bi-Polar Disorder, I believe).   But all it takes is a small glimmer of hope to keep us reaching for "tomorrow" and the next and the next.  Some people may need a bigger "glimmer of hope" than others, but as long as there is that glimmer of hope we'll keep reaching.....  And if your among those who struggle with Depression and PTSD, Keep reaching for that "tomorrow" and the next and the next....  Don't Give Up!!!  Don't Give In!!!  Keep holding on and being strong.

"280" What Does it Mean?

I burrowed this from one of Our24YearAgeGap's posts because I thought it was something that should be shared.

 

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People complain all the time that Fire/EMS makes too much and do too little but when they need us they complain we took too long. WTF?! Did you know that 85% of people in my career (nation wide) can not afford to live off just one income? Bet you didn’t. That’s why everyone in my career works 2 or more jobs! Meaning they can’t get off work when they need help, nor can they afford the help they need. I’m an example. I’m one statistic, but I won’t become another…not yet anyway.

Do you know what the number above means? Do you know what it stands for? No? Well read below and find out.  

In 2010, while educating firefighters across the United States, I began to notice through stories and reports about the number of firefighters who had taken their lives. I began to collect reports through a confidential reporting system in late 2010 through Counseling Services for FIre Fighters. After much research and effort, I realized this was a much larger issue than I thought, and expanded by starting Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance. I am now collecting this data through FBHA also. This confidential report can be found on the list at the left “ff suicide report” or at www.csff.info under the tab “FF Suicide Report”. The number on the box above are members who were active or retired firefighters who suffered deaths by their own choice. It should not be conceived as one of weakness but one where they might not have believed they had any other options to relieve their pain. FBHA is dedicated to collecting the most accurate numbers regarding FF suicides and then updates this number as information is confirmed. It is also FBHA’s objective to educate all of our brothers and sisters on suicide prevention through our workshop titled “Saving Those Who Save Others” in hopes to limit this number.  

Regards, B/C Jeff Dill Founder of CSFF & FBHA

Note: Number is from information received from suicides ranging from the years 1880-2012. The total is comprised of 269 FF and 11 EMT/P.

Think about that. Just let that sink in when you think about voting for a tax cut for firefighter/paramedics. And that is JUST firefighter/paramedics. What about the police officers? Or that military?? Those numbers are alarming as well. Some things in this country need to change…congress needs to be put on minimum wage in their comfortable little office and give their pay to the people that work every day for their life, health, and safety.