I cried like a baby when I listened to the 911 call of U.S. Olympic skier Jeret “Speedy” Peterson. He made the call asking for someone to come and get his body moments before he took his own life. Jeret reportedly had long struggled with depression and alcoholism. I did not cry because I knew him or was a fan in any way. I cried because I felt his pain. I cried because every word he spoke were words that I often thought about repeating into a phone before I took my own life. I cried because he did not have to die.
Like Jeret I have have long struggled with depression. Like Jeret I have abused alcohol to deal with it. Not the fleeting kind of depression you suffer when your NBA team is eliminated from the playoffs. The kind that sometimes results in life changing and like Jerrett and many others, life ending decisions . The ugly “S” word. The journey associated with the often daily battle through fog and fear has taken me down many a dark road. I have seen people I know, unable to find answers or hope take the journey into the abyss from which there is no return. As I sadly read of theirs and Jeret’s decision to take that final jump into the final darkness, terminating the future, I am reminded of how all so fast it can happen.
This slide into darkness has its own unique components for different people. Some are luckier than others in the support they get or their ability to reach out for that support. I was very lucky. I had everyone who loved me living in my city and within a few miles of me. They were all in my life and knew my routines. That is what saved me. If I did not have that I would be dead.
I do not remember placing the Italian 45-caliber automatic pistol that my best friend had given me for a gift on my nightstand. I do not remember emailing him for bullets. I do not remember emailing others of my desire to end my life. I realize now that it was my way of reaching out for help. My only memory of those terrible few days on the edge 6 years ago was being wakened out of a Xanax stupor by people who cared for me, the pistol sitting inches away from me. It happens that easy. It was all so easy to slide in the fog from a Xanax coma to a 45 cal bullet. It did not happen. People loved me, cared and intervened.
While I think I have suffered from depression since I was a child, I do not have any sense of time in its effects as you have to realize it’s an issue to start the clock. It has had its ups and downs. Despite what Tom Cruise will have you believe, medication works. Talking to professionals helps. Having a family that loves me, recognized something was wrong and was willing to intervene is something that many who suffer do not have. I am very lucky.
There however was one dark period that the low was so low and the fog of depression was so great that I only have vague memories of literally living on the edge of permanent darkness.
For many years I had kept this story to myself, telling no one. I did not want to be perceived as weak. I did not want to be stereotyped, stigmatized or shamed. I did not want sympathy. In the end, it is what it is. If someone can take the message from this that there is hope and recovery from the edge of darkness to happiness and accomplishment in life. If someone will see that reaching out even when you do not want to has the greatest up side at all. If one person gets that I will take all the S’s people can throw at me. My heart goes out to Jeret’s family and all those who knew him who are casualties of the collateral damage that depression inflicts.
11 Responses
omg… what a 911 call…. where was the support? Brian this is awesome writing!
self destruction is a desperate attempt to get a message out. forget all the legalities of things I can no longer say because of the wrongs I experienced. it was a matter of informing others around me who were ignoring me. Wonder why I'm a happy person now? It's because I'm back. how many can honestly say they blew up their life and get back from the other side? it is the only medicine. Push the hypocrisy to it's limit and your own destruction is close at hand. should you survive… you will be a happy balanced person…. or at the very least I'm happy as shit. sorry about the other guy who was probably a nice guy and blew himself up. Not sure the bible will forgive suicide… so don't risk that one. Better to fight the system then take your life… self destruction for a good cause feels so much better then being dead.
Tears Brian, I feel and shed them as well. You are inspirational, and strong with your sensative, open and honest words. You for certain can help people, you have helped people and you will help more people. I'm thankful to know you and glad to call you a friend!
Excellent and thoughtful post. I agree that a preventable tragedy makes telling your story the right thing to do but it takes alot of courage to do so and I commend you for taking that step.
This column is totally right. It represents what I felt when I heard of his death — not an athlete I knew, but an illness I knew all too well. Hang in there. Moments are worth the effort.
Bravo! That takes strength, not weakness. Thank God there are less and less of those that feel sharing a story like that involves weakness. No way.
I admire your courage for sharing your personal experience with depression. I have been to that dark place too and it helps when others understand instead of judge. I will attach a link: http://www.afsp.org/
(The American Society for Suicide Prevention)
Brian, without sounding like a sentimental sappy woman, I will say what you wrote was extremely raw and real and I felt what you had to say deeply. It actually brought tears to my eyes because it is an incredibly sad dark place to be. Whenever someone is so deep in the hole that they feel it is the only way out is so so tragic. You might have been there but you obviously are in such a better place and for you to share shows your confidence and strength. There should be more understanding of this state of being and more public awareness for people who do not have the support system you have to be able to reach out to. I know they are there but maybe people like you can make these places easier to find.
I admire your courage for sharing your personal experience with depression. I have been to that dark place too and it helps when others understand instead of judge. I will attach a link: http://www.afsp.org/
Great read….I'm hooked on your writing now.
Wow, I can relate and depression is a bitch to deal with and most people don't understand what's it really like. I appreciate you sharing your story because I have dealt with things and also had the fear of not wanting to look weak by talking about it, thanks.