Warning: this post contains content which some readers may find upsetting.

It’s World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. And its a bit depressing when you think about it.

We hear the statistics but they feel alien. We see the helpline numbers, but they are foreign.

Not until you become a statistic, or in need of that life-line number.

As a Pakistani Muslim, I have always been confronted with responses like:

‘You should be grateful for your health’ and ‘You’re life is a gift from Allah s.w.t. and by feeling this way, you are insulting Him and His blessings.’

I usually thank them for that reminder that I am ungrateful and selfish and move on. Thats why I don’t like talking to people unless I feel I have the energy to explain what my thought process is. Once I do, then all goes quiet.

I kill the conversation. I like to think of it as an art now.

Making that choice to end your life is not easy and it certainly isn’t done on a whim – a lot of planning is involved. As much as my wandering thoughts want to share my thought process on this, I won’t. It hits home – hard.

I just want to share (what I feel are) the questions, the most uncomfortable and hardest questions, you can ever ask anyone contemplating suicide:

Have you made plans to end your life? What is your plan?

This direct question helps to start a conversation with someone who is feeling worthless, useless and a failure. By talking out loud, the other person can really hear whats going on and it is a way of bringing them back to reality.

This is not for everyone. But the option is there to ask these questions if you feel confident enough in that situation.

You know my featured image? That’s my brothers gravestone. I wish someone asked him those questions.

If you are worried about your thoughts, or have thoughts of ending your life, please talk it out. Its easier to talk to someone who is a stranger, because they are unlikely to judge you in this crisis moment.

Samaritans Scotland – 116 123 Lines open 24/7

NHS 24 (Scotland) – 111 Lines open 24/7

There will be other organisations in your area that you can contact – its handy to keep these saved in your phone.