Liberals' greatest pretence

The liberals' greatest pretence is at showing they care for your life but in actual fact, they don't.

They 'care' when you serve their interests.

Suicide law can have deterrent effect on survivors

As one who had attempted suicide, it seems inconceivable that I would now be a Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) volunteer giving out black plasters as “conversation starters” for its World Suicide Prevention Week campaign.

Having nearly died, been saved and now healed, I want to get the message across that trials are temporary but life is worth living.

Like the student, Z, in the report “Aware says suicide laws ‘worsen distress’; calls for changes” (Sept 9), I suffered from depression. I attempted suicide because of unresolved grief at losing my mother.

Life’s major transitions left me feeling helpless and alone after her death. I found no purpose in living, so I overdosed. Only when I saw the pain I had inflicted on my family did I realise this life is not my own.

Police officers approached me after my suicide attempt. They were gentle and encouraged me to seek counselling. I worked towards mental wellness with my psychiatrist. Knowing that attempting suicide is a crime has had its deterrent effect on me.

Throughout the incident, I was treated with compassion.

Deterrence and punishment are not the only purposes of a law; the criminalisation of suicide sends a message to the society that suicide not only costs a life and traumatises loved ones but also impedes the progress of a nation.

I applaud the SOS’ efforts and faithful service all these years in preventing suicide. This is not one agency’s responsibility but requires the collective effort of each of us.

Trials bring out the courage in me to overcome life’s obstacles. My personal responsibility is to look after my physiological and psychological health first. Only when I function well can I serve the community, seeking to be a responsible citizen.

As a young nation, we cannot lose that resilient spirit the Prime Minister demonstrated at this year’s National Day Rally. I endeavour to do my part in looking out for those in distress, knowing that they, too, can lead a purposeful life when they see the light at the end of the tunnel.

http://m.todayonline.com/voices/suicide-law-can-have-deterrent-effect-survivors

Who has greater resilience?

It is no coincidence that people who face more obstacles in life have greater resilience.

We are made to overcome.

Start training our children today!

Where there is love, there is hope #howru

I have always marvelled at the job of a salesman.
It's tough, I know.
I have always been on the other side.
I'm not a sales personnel but today, I'm a volunteer distributing free plasters for the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) for World Suicide Prevention Day.
I thought I could finish distributing the 740 plasters within an hour.
I thought somehow my chair could attract some attention (which I normally prefer not to have) but half an hour into the distribution, oh oh, why are people not even interested in FREE stuff???
Thank God, somehow my busy niece could meet me for dinner today and so I enlisted her help.
Minutes ticked by.
Rejection, rejection and rejection.
God impressed upon me that priceless love even when freely given, is not easily accepted or appreciated.
I nearly teared.
I continued to put on my brightest smile while my heart started to sink.
Then I met you, my second angel.
You came up the escalator, smiling so brightly.
Tears flowed because you are the familiar face among the strangers.
Niece was somewhere behind me, bravely tasting life.
You came specially to help me, giving me such a pleasant surprise.
And I gained strength.
You said, "Don't give up!"
Yes!
The phrase 'giving up' is not in my vocabulary.
I have come so far and I won't give up.
My skin became thicker.
I smiled through the tears.
It pains my heart that despite so many youths out there, despite the friendly faces you try to show, you won't even take a free plaster.
Underneath that painted face, that healthy body, do you know there are so many people caring for you?
I became more generous with the plasters.
"Would you want to share with your friends?"
I'm thankful for those who came to take the plasters from me.
I'm thankful for you who gave me the thumbs up.
I'm speechless for those who offered me money, for those who gave me money before I could even respond.
I have $3 for the offering bag in church tomorrow.
I will say a prayer for the two of you.
And then our heroes arrived.
They are helping a charitable organization to do some fundraising.
These two men took some plasters from us and helped us to distribute!
Oh wow.
And so I met four angels.
God sent them such that I was able to distribute more than 730 plasters in 2 hours.
I could not have done it on my own within the time limit!
Would I do this again next year?
Yes.
I will be better prepared for rejections.
I will meet many more angels :D

Photo by Michelle Lim

  

Judge righteously

Today, I finally have a better understanding of why teens (adults too) say "Don't judge me" before we even say anything.

Best ending for the day: heart-to-heart talk with a teen.

Precious information to help us save another life.

And she affirms what I believe : we need to empower the young to help their peers in fighting against suicide and other issues.

Never underestimate youth power when guided by the power on high!