Never Lose Hope

There is a dangerous stigma that goes with being poor in America, and with this stigma

lies a terrible reality.

 

Embarrassment, failure, lazy, and criminal are just some of the negative stereotypes that are heaped upon those living close to, or below, the poverty line. The mental stress of living in poverty can be crippling and even lead some people to make irrational and drastic decisions they never would have considered under different circumstances.

 

Suicide is a real problem that effects the homeless community every year. The fact is that America is full of good people who need immediate help. People are dying every day and the numbers continue to increase. Many people have given up hope. Thousands need serious help just to survive. As unemployment numbers rise so do the depression and suicide rates. Many people do not see a solution or a way out.  Some will turn to substance abuse, crime and/or take their own lives.

 

It happened during the Great Depression and it will continue to happen as long as people are doomed to live without having their basic needs met. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, a person's fundamental needs are violated when food, shelter, sleep, warmth and protection from the elements are withheld. Those who are not fortunate enough to have a roof over their head find themselves without security, order, law or stability. When our base needs are unmet, it is impossible to live a tolerable life for very long.

 

People who have families and friends who are able to help them are among the blessed. Many people are grateful when offered to sleep on a loved one’s floor if it means survival. For those who do not have kin folk or friends who will extend an invitation to occupy their floor the options are simply to survive on the streets or to shorten the pain sentence and kill themselves.Many good people take their lives due to the fear of being homeless. Many have asked for help and have been mocked and rejected so they no longer ask for help in fear of being shunned and made fun of. It is embarrassing and humiliating to ask for help so if someone asks you for something in private please be sympathetic and know that they are coming to you as a last resort.

 

 Desperation is not a subject for juicy gossip. It is about life and death.Mental health issues play a vital role. If a person is unable to afford treatment or medical care, there is an increased risk of suicide. Among the homeless, people with mood disorders are at a particularly high risk of suicide. Studies indicate that more than 90 percent of suicide victims have a diagnosable psychiatric illness.


Both major depression and bipolar disorder account for 15 to 25 percent of all deaths by suicide in patients with severe mood disorders. And suicide is the most common cause of death for people with

schizophrenia. Depression rates amongst the homeless population are higher than amongst the general population. Suicide among homeless people, both adults and young people, is a known health problem, with 22-46 percent having attempted suicide and up to 61 percent having had suicidal thoughts. Early experiences of homelessness as well as extended experiences of homelessness (longer than 6 months) are associated with higher rates of suicide and suicidal thoughts.

 

Poverty and homelessness are incredibly difficult to deal with and the cumulative effect of stress and despair can cause anyone to have suicidal thoughts. It is truly heartbreaking when a person decides death is a better alternative than their current situation. Please talk to someone if you find yourself experiencing feelings that you find overwhelming to deal with.