Tomorrow needs you – and me
TOMORROW NEEDS YOU
Every year I participate in the National Suicide Prevention Week campaign by To Write Love on Her Arms. Every year I share a little bit of my story – and every year I hope it helps start conversations about mental health. Today, this year, I want you to know that you are loved – that tomorrow needs you – and I hope you’ll share your story, too.
Let’s start at the beginning:
To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) is a non profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and invest directly into treatment and recovery.
Today marks the start of National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 9-15) in the United States. Tomorrow, Sept. 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day. TWLOHA’s campaign for National Suicide Prevention Week this year is called “Tomorrow Needs You.”
Some previous campaigns have been titled “Stay. Find What You Were Made For” (2017), “And So I Kept Living” (2016), “We’ll See You Tomorrow” (2015), “No One Else Can Play Your Part” (2014), and “You Cannot Be Replaced” (2013). Each year’s message brings hope for those struggling and a conversation starter for the stigma fighters.
So what does this mean?
In TWLOHA founder Jamie Tworkowski’s blog, he writes:
There are [many] statistics we could share as a reminder of the work that remains [in suicide prevention]. These numbers all point to the fact that too many people suffer alone and never get the help they need and deserve.
Perhaps the greatest tragedy of suicide is that it steals tomorrow and every additional tomorrow. Suicide takes away the possibility of tomorrows filled with healing, change, love, joy, connection, and community. Those possibilities are worth fighting for, they’re worth every ounce of our attention and energy. And you are worth fighting for. With those things in mind, and with World Suicide Prevention Day coming up on September 10, we’re choosing to focus on tomorrow. We’re choosing to fight for tomorrow. Our message this year is simple: Tomorrow needs you.
Stay and see the sunrise
Life can get so heavy sometimes; today can weigh us down. Right here, right now – tomorrow needs you.
Some of you may have never questioned your tomorrows, while others may struggle with this daily. Ultimately, I believe we can all relate to the heavy and the light in life. We have all had moments where today has been the enemy of bright tomorrows.
I’m here to remind you that your story is important, and you are part of a bigger story.
When you’ve worked so hard, and yet you feel so unappreciated. Don’t give up. Prove them wrong; prove yourself resilient. Tomorrow needs you.
When you just feel tired, believe there is still a chance to be surprised. Tomorrow needs you.
When you’ve poured your heart out and received nothing in return. When you feel you’ve given all you have to people who give nothing back. When you’ve been let go by those you once held dear. Know that there are people who DO cherish you. There are people who love you, immensely and always. Know that you are that person for someone else. Know that they need you. They need you to be in their tomorrow. Choose them; choose yourself. Tomorrow needs you.
Those moments where the darkness tries to steal your joy – don’t let it. The morning will bring new light. Tomorrow needs you.
Tomorrow means enjoying a quiet moment with a warm cup of coffee. Tomorrow means getting that degree, promotion and dream job. Tomorrow means birthdays – another year around the sun, another day with you in it. Tomorrow means falling in love. Tomorrow means feeling heartbreak, crying your eyes out into a gallon of ice cream with your best friends, and then doing it all over again when you meet someone wonderful. Tomorrow means snuggling up on the couch with your two dogs. Tomorrow needs you in it for all of these things to happen.
Tomorrow means opportunity. Tomorrow needs you.
And if you’re not the one struggling, make sure your friends and loved ones know that you need them in your tomorrow. Don’t hold back a moment to say “I love you. I am lucky to know you. I am grateful to be known by you. Thank you for sharing this beautiful life with me. Tomorrow needs you.”
Today needs you, too
One of my favorite Jamie Tworkowski quotes comes from an excerpt of his book If You Feel Too Much:
And God must be a pretty big fan of today, because you keep waking up to it. You have made known your request for a hundred different yesterdays, but the sun keeps rising on this thing that has never been known. Yesterday is dead and over. Wrapped in grace. Those days are grace. You are still alive, and today is the most interesting day. Today is the best day to live.
Do not make today your enemy. While embracing your light doesn’t mean ignoring your dark – it is still important to recognize the light. Let today’s beauty lead you into tomorrow’s splendor.
How can I get involved?
You can join the conversation – share your story – tell us why tomorrow needs you.
Talk to your friends and family. Talk to people on the street. We are meant to live life in relationship with other people. Inspire hope. Find joy in all the little moments and share that joy with others.
Know that you are loved, and let others know that they are as well.
Within TWLOHA, you can download their #WSPD18 response card. Participate in the conversation online by tagging @twloha and using the hashtags #TomorrowNeedsYou #WSPD18 #NSPW18
Raise money for treatment and recovery: fundraise and donate
Don’t give up your tomorrow.
We need you.
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