The problem with grief, particularly losing a child to suicide, is you don't have the energy to do much more than exist. It's also very isolating because no one can understand the complications of suicide loss unless they have experienced it as well. The massive guilt, the constant "if only", or "why didn't I", or "why did I"? (Parents who have lost a child to suicide are 60% more likely to attempt suicide themselves.)
As a parent, I failed in the most horrible way a parent can fail. So the idea of helping someone else doesn't even come up in the equation, if I wasn't able to help my son how can I help anyone else? It's hard to explain. I feel I'd be more of a danger to someone else than a help, after all, I was the person my son talked to the most and look what happened to him!
Even Suicide Prevention campaigns add the the stigma. The "prevention" message implies that those surrounding their loved ones didn't do enough. Would we go up to a mother who lost a child to cancer and say "You know, your child's death could have been prevented?". No. But the suicide prevention campaigns imply that exact message.
It's also a damaging message to those suffering from suicidal ideations as it oversimplifies it into something within that person's control, which isn't always the case. Prevention campaigns, though well-meaning, continue to downplay to PHYSICAL conditions underlying suicidal ideations. Would we expect someone with Parkinson's to use their brain to stop their tremors? No. But we expect someone with depression, anxiety, bi-polar, etc. to somehow heal their condition with the same organ that is causing it.
But, back to dogs. The only thing that has helped me get outside my house is my obligation to make sure I get my dogs some exercise. If not for that, I'd never leave the house.
= new reply since forum marked as read