A Cry for Help

"GOD has forgotten me! A Brazilian woman cried out. After the sudden  death of her husband, she felt that her life no longer had any meaning. Have you ever tried to comfort someone who is that distressed or who is perhaps crying for help? 

Some become so despondent  that they end their life-and a number of them are youths. According to the newspaper Fohla de S. Paulo, a study in Brazil shows that  "suicide  among youths has increased by 26 percent." For instance, consider the case of Walter, a young man in Sao Paulo. He had no parents, no home, no privacy, no friends he could count on. to end his misery, Walter decided to jump off a bridge.

A single mother, Edna already had two children when she met another man. After only month, they began living together in the home of his mother, who dabbled in spiritism and was an alcoholic. Edna had another child, began drinking excessively, and become so depressed  that she tried to commit suicide. Finally, she lost custody of her children.

What about elderly people? Maria used to be fun-loving and talkative. As she grew older, however, she began to worry about her job as a nurse because she feared that she would make mistakes. This made her feel depressed. After trying self-medication, she sought medical attention, and the treatment she received seemed helpful. But when she lost her job at the age of 57, depression returned with such intensity that she could see no way  out. Maria began thinking about suicide.  

About 10 percent of people who are depressed attempt suicide," says Professor Jose' Alberto Del Porto of Sao Paulo University.  "Its hard to believe that more people have died from suicide than homicide, but its a sad fact," reports U.S. surgeon general, Dr.David Satcher. 

Sometimes an attempted suicide is, in effect, a cry for help. And surely family members and friends want to do the right thing for the one who has lost hope. Of course, it will not help to use expressions such as "Stop feeling sorry for yourself,"  A lot of people are worse off then you are" or, "All of us have a bad day now and then." Instead, why not be real friend and a good listener?  Yes, try to help the despondent one to see that life is worth living.

French author Voltaire wrote: "The man who, in a fit of melancholy, kills himself today, would wished to live had he waited a week." Well, then, how can people in despair discover that life is worthwhile?  

Next time: SOON A World Without Despair

From the Watchtower magazine, 2000