This weekend, I came across some frightening and shocking statistics about suicide. 800,000 people a year take their own lives. That’s a life every 40 seconds.

This reminded me of a podcast I had done about suicide a while back. It is a very dark subject, but is, nevertheless, one that we really need to start discussing, rather than brushing it under the carpet and pretending it doesn’t happen.

The fact is that suicide is the most common cause of death for men aged between 20-49. This is all males, not just autistic males, but over 60% of newly-diagnosed autistic adults report contemplating taking their own life.

These figures are so awful. We are starting to talk about mental health in general, but more needs to be done to help people away from that awful end. To know that they are not alone.

It inspired me to put pen to paper. Although it might not directly help anyone, you never know. And it’s my way of sorting things out in my own head too.

So, ladies and gentlemen, I give you my latest scribble.

Gone

According to recent statistics, 800,000

People die a year at their own hand.

That’s a life lost every forty seconds…

Swallowed by a darkness they can’t escape.

A voice silenced, while screaming for help.

While constantly being told that mental health 

Isn’t a polite topic of family conversation.

That little voice keeping you awake at night…

It’s insomnia driving you to that final sleep.

Trying to craft the right words to explain why.

Carefully planning a departure on your terms.

The ‘phone call your loved ones will receive

In the early hours. Life, like a clock, keeps 

Counting down the lives, every forty seconds.

(C) Bob Christian 2020