Ok, my friends. We need to talk about something that we need to always talk about. Suicide. September is Suicide Awareness Month. Ouch. It hurts to think about. Sadly, many of our lives have been touched by a loved one making this choice or we may have found ourselves staring the choice in the face. It’s terrifying.
September is Suicide Awareness Month. Ouch. It hurts to think about. Sadly, many of our lives have been touched by a loved one making this choice or we may have found ourselves staring the choice in the face. It’s terrifying.
But do you know what makes it less terrifying? TALKING ABOUT IT. Fear and isolation begets fear and isolation. So — Let’s talk.
How Jiu-Jitsu saved a life
A Jiu Jitsu practitioner shares a story. “I was diagnosed with PTSD from my years of service in law enforcement and found not fit for duty. My life as I knew it was crashing all around me and I felt worthless. I was staying in bed for hours during the day and seriously contemplating taking my life. A friend who is more like a brother realized I was in a really bad place mentally and he came and forced me to go running with him. The physical exercise and love of a brother helped pull me out of my toxic head space. I started exercising regularly and received treatment and after only a few months I was found fit for duty and back on the streets working. Now I train Jiu Jitsu which has given me purpose, friends and family. My struggles with PTSD aren’t over but training Jiu Jitsu has helped me when times are tough and has also provided me with the support I need when I’m struggling. Training to fight and facing the physical struggle may help you overcome the mental challenges you are facing. Jiu Jitsu practitioners all over social media make reference to how Jiu Jitsu saved their life. I know that Jiu Jitsu saves my life regularly.”
So — what helps?
Well, Jiu Jitsu can help. While it may not fix everything, it is a medicine for this serious ailment.
Jiu Jitsu registers a fight or flight signal in your brain when you are on the mat. It makes you fight. It releases endorphins and a survival response. It’s literally a will to live, not to mention the techniques with which to defend yourself and make that possible. Jiu Jitsu is empowering. It also pushes comfort zones and requires communication in training.
Y’all—we all struggle. Having a community/family that you know will support you is lifesaving. We’ve got this. Isolation is a component of the disease that leads to suicide. So, get yourself on the mat. Get yourselves out the door. Even if this isn’t your struggle, it’s likely someone else’s—so go for them.
For those of you who haven’t given Jiu Jitsu a try, we invite you to the mat. Our community is safe and welcoming to new comers. Each of our veteran students continue to learn and thrive with new students—so get on over and try! OSS!
In health and fitness,
Susan, 43, Mother of 5, Blue Belt, Scorpio
