Unfortunately there weren’t as many people at the walk as were expected. The rain kept many people away. Who wants to walk in the cold pelting rain?
But the volunteers were all there, bright and early. The entire field was set up and organized by Jo McNeal, Pacific Northwest Area Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
I know it might have been a disappointment for some to have so few attendees compared to what was expected. However, that was not the case for us, the contingent from the Jensen Suicide Prevention Peer Protocol (The JSP3©).
When Terry, Angel and I met today before the event began, we noticed there were far fewer attendees than we had planned for. We looked at each other and agreed, that means the ones that are here are the exact individuals who are supposed to be here. This is a rare opportunity.
Oftentimes I’ll take great pains to provide the very optimum of supplies, etc., and take hours, sometimes days to prepare for an event. And, on occasion, only a few participants show up – the important thing is that the people who do show up are precisely the right ones.
As we huddled at our rain soaked booth, giving out free literature including copies of my book, “Just Because You’re Suicidal Doesn’t Mean You’re Crazy”, we spoke to people who seemed typically hesitant to say much in the way of self-disclosure. We have learned through experience to suggest, “You can read the book so you can understand what causes and perpetuates suicidal thought. You can then bring the book and our booklets on how to help form a peer support group for battle buddies to whoever you think might be struggling with suicidality.”
In the midst of the initial milling around while everyone was preparing for the opening assembly, I told my colleagues, Terry and Angel, “Watch for the special one the Lord sends us. He or she will come and you’ll know immediately who that special one is.”
And he did come. He came first to visit shortly before the walk. He was unusual in that he told us, “I know what this is like, ‘feeling crazy because you don’t understand your own suicidal thoughts’. I was suicidal and now I’m not – I have a new life. I’m very lucky. I’d like a copy of your book to share with my buddies and my family.”
I replied, “Of course, and we’ll keep it dry for you to pick up when you return from the walk.”
He came back and we talked. His eyes welled with tears as I warned him when his suicidal thoughts come back, he could find out what to do about it in the book. He could form a peer support safety net for himself NOW, so when it gets tough he’ll have it in place. He then knew that I knew the thoughts had not gone, that they were still with him every day. And that I knew what that was like. AND, that I learned how to deal with it through peer support and he could, too. Perhaps he knew I knew that he still struggled. But that’s not important. What’s important is a connection happened and he knew I had an answer to his anguish. (You, too, can find the answer and more about peer support for suicide prevention at https://www.jsp3.org.)
In the middle of our conversation, I heard a “ka-ching” ring in my head. He was the one the Lord sent – he was the special one.
So many more may have heard bits and pieces and a few may have gotten what they needed but there is always one who brings the “ka-ching”, the Lord’s message that a divine connection has been made. This is what I live for.