Throughout these last few weeks dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, I have repeatedly asked myself, what advice would Kevin Hynes (the author of Cracked not Broken) have to give individuals living with mental health during this situation and if he has any advice for support workers. So, I looked him up and asked him……. I know right. I was a bit nervous and had to really talk myself into it.
Now, while I sit here and wait for a reply, I want to talk about chapter 3 “The Night Before”.
It’s September 24, 2000 Kevin is only 19 years old and he has given away his prized possessions and made a commitment to himself to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge the following day. Kevin refers to this as “suicidal ideation” and can best be described as thinking about and planning suicide. At this point, Kevin is tormented with consistent and relentless hallucinations both auditory and visual. These voices and images repeatedly told Kevin he was “a horrible person” and he “had to die”. Kevin describes his hallucinations as being so real he could see, taste and smell them and reading about his experience is haunting. Kevin could only focus on one thing, he needed to end his immeasurable pain at all cost and jumping of the bridge tomorrow is how he plans on doing it.
Since social distancing has become mandatory and most of us are living in isolation, I have had a difficult time staying focused. However, a wise person said to me last week, we are the harshest of critics on ourselves and that we can only liberate ourselves and know that we are each doing our best under these extraordinary circumstances so RELAX, and plaese be kind to yourself today.
Cracked, Not Broken 
Sadly, mental health takes such a toll on people that they choose death by suicide. Couldn’t imagine hearing voices tell me to die or kill myself. Heart breaks for people who suffer such pain.
Covid-19 is sweeping the world, could imagine having to deal with mental health and still isolate themselves. Your not alone we are all in this together, take the time to be with your little family. It’s times like these that make you appreciate those around you. Head up, Canada will get through this and so will you❤️
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I myself, have had friends who have dealt with suicidal thoughts and sadly I once had to actually save a friend of mine. It’s now been 4 years, and sometimes I think back to that day in my head and think about how horrible things could have gone if I wouldn’t have found her. It is an experience that I will never forget and it gave me such a greater understanding of why people feel the way that they do and why they make the choices that they make.
As for the COVID-19 pandemic, I myself have experienced for the first time in my life anxiety. I never really thought about how much I would miss early mornings and interactions with people, then going home. I used to be excited to go home at the end of the day, and now I realize how much I took for granted when we were not all required to self-isolate and stay in our houses. We’ll all get through this!
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Thanks for sharing Amy.
This COVID pandemic has been difficult for everyone and I think most people are experiencing thoughts and emotions that are new to them.
Im hear if you need to talk or hear a good joke lol. Stay strong !!!!
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