i was just reading the Star online when i came across the case of a Malaccan engineer who was found dead, wounds on his body, with a knife by his side...and the report highlighted the fact that his sister was active in the Befrienders, a suicide helpline. the report expressed her difficulty in accepting this fact.
well, this report made me think.
the irony of the situation did not escape me though. i express my condolences to the grieving family and say a requiem for the deceased man.
at one point, i wanted to volunteer in Befrienders...back when i was in secondary school. then i found out that they had an age requirement of 21 years and above. and my mum was afraid i couldn't cope with listening to people's problems. but i wanted to help out still. i ended up buying some home-made greeting cards by way of fundraising.
i can understand my mum's concerns...the real life case of a counselling student who hung herself after feeling unable to cope with the demands of drug rehab couselling still ring in my mind. the idea is to be concerned, and yet detached. there's only so much one can do.
and there's always the question of how messed up my life and my self are...how can i hope to help others? a real case of 'ji san nan bou'...
so i told myself that i do want to help. i do want to make a difference. but how? i resolved to wait and slowly bury my personal 'hantus' (as my mum would put it) in the meantime. and also to see what sort of person i would develop into...would my zeal still be as strong? and whether i was cut out for this kind of work.
it's one thing to care, but it's another to be able to help. and to be able to help without hurting yourself in the process.
a few years have passed since. a few 'hantus' still remain. but i m looking forward. i don't think i have what it takes for heavy-duty counselling...but i am open to listening to my friends and family's problems and helping them work out a solution. it's not about giving an answer, it's about working out possibilities together. maybe time will change my mind, and show that i can and should help in this area. but 'til that time comes, i shall serve in other ways...
3 comments:
Yea...I agree with you Pet.. In fact, when i was younger, I've always wanted to join some kind of counselling organisations such as the Befrienders..but somehow, perhaps my determination is not strong enough so, i ended up thinking about it only... and also, ive always doubted whether i really have the ability to help in counselling because i know im sure i'll be very sad if the person i counsel still ended up taking the dark route..
nevertheless, i still think that although im helpless in this way, i can be helpful in other ways.. one of them is as what you mentioned, helping your friends.. many times, we have to be sensitive to the needs of our friends..they may be depressed or sad or whatever that is troubling them... they really need somebody to talk to... and this is important because many a time, people chose to end their lives before even talk to somebody.. they feel everything is doomed for sure... that is why i feel that as friends, we really have to open our eyes and hearts daily to our friends just to make sure they are alright...
anyway, the world anti-suicide day is coming (when is it, anyway?). Hopefully, during this day, everyone can be aware of the fact that there's really nothing that you can't solve. All you need is some courage and patience to face the world..And of course a bunch of good friends to back you up!! Cheers...~_~
yeah. looks like u really can understand what im feeling...
we all can make a difference in others' lives...and we can be the light that brightens darkness. :)
cheers to supportive and loving friends and family!
Post a Comment