If you’re lucky in life, you’ve experienced challenges and overcome them. Maybe you’ve lost someone precious but found meaning in the experience. You might have been through hell but now you understand more fully the chaotic beauty life has to offer. Let’s be honest…it’s nearly impossible to be human and not struggle sometimes.
We talk about a lot of things around here that aren’t directly related to horses and mental health is certainly one of those topics we don’t shy away from. To fully live and love is to embrace the high highs, the low lows, and everything in between yet many of us face persistent mental health challenges that add an additional layer of complexity and some of us may consider suicide to end the suffering.
The inspiration for our newest collection comes from the experiences and conversations I have had over the past few years about the impact of mental health and, specifically, suicide on all of our communities and it’s not something we talk about enough. Sadly, too many of us have a story about suicide touching our lives and, while it can be difficult to talk about, sharing our stories and shedding light on this complicated and difficult topic is a how we can potentially save lives.
The impact of suicide is staggering, with far too many lives lost every year. According to the World Health Organization, more than 700,000 people die by suicide every year. It’s the fourth leading cause of death for people 15-29. Incredibly, death by suicide increased approximately 36% from 2000-2021 according to the CDC. Things are tough out there right now and there is still a stigma around suicide that creates barriers to accessing or asking for help.
People who have died by suicide may have felt their life didn’t have meaning or value and that family and friends would be better off if they were not alive. Perhaps they were also overwhelmed by mental health challenges but beneath their pain, suffering, sadness and struggle was a soul that was valuable beyond measure.
A heart capable of great love.
A mind capable of brilliant thinking.
A body that deserved life.
So what can we do to help?
We can start by normalizing mental health treatment and reducing the stigma around suicide. We can educate ourselves on the warning signs for suicidal behavior. We can have hard conversations with people we fear might be at risk for dying by suicide.
There are tons of resources on the internet, but we want to share this very helpful pdf with 5 action steps you can take for someone who is experiencing emotional pain. Download PDF
About the collection
This collection is not just about one person or one family; it’s a loving tribute to anyone whose life has been touched by suicide. For those who have lost their lives to suicide, this collection honors their memories, acknowledging that despite their struggles, their lives mattered and always will. For those left behind, it creates space for remembrance, healing and hope.
We chose the iconography of a Pegasus to represent the connection between the world that we currently inhabit and what lies beyond this realm. In the pattern for this collection, the imagery of the Pegasus, surrounded by rocks and feathers, represents the duality of our earthly existence and the ethereal nature of our spirits. The message of “be brave” is woven throughout, encouraging not just those contemplating suicide, but all of us to seek help, to reach out, and to remember that despite it all, there is always hope.
“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all…”
Emily Dickinson
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please don’t hesitate. Take action today to get help. I encourage all of you to reach out to resources in your community if you are suffering and to be that resource to others. And I encourage all of us in the horsey world to appreciate the deep and special connections that we have with our horses and other riders. Sometimes those connections prove to be a lifeline when we really need it.
I hope this collection is a reminder that you are never alone, that your life has intrinsic value, and that hope can light up the darkest corners.
Resources:
24/7 Crisis Hotline: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
https://988lifeline.org
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Veterans, press 1 when calling.
Crisis Text Line
Text TALK to 741-741 to text with a trained crisis counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
For more resources, please visit The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
References:
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/suicide
- https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html
- https://suicidology.org/2023/01/19/stigma-and-suicide/
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/5-action-steps-for-helping-someone-in-emotional-pain