Suicide is Painful...

I was asked if I have talked to anyone who has been suicidal, as a result of Tory policies, or 'Scrounger' rhetoric?


I would never give details, but yes. Countless times.


Have I ever been so worried about a person, that I've called their local police to do a check?


Yes, and there have been times when I have been bloody glad I did it!


I am not saying this to 'big myself up'. Regular readers will know that I rarely discuss what I do, here.

I am saying this because in all my years of 'activism' and raising awareness, suicidal people were, (thankfully) a rarity.


Since 2010, when Tories returned to power and pushed through the destructive, draconian, life destroying, soul destroying Welfare Reform Bill, it isn't rare.


The early hours of the morning are the worst time.


People reach the end of their tether when it is dark, when they don't know if they will keep their homes, feed their families, or they're so panicked about facing an assessment (and the possibility of losing vital financial support), that they would rather DIE than face it!


Some people might think it is an overreaction, but it isn't.


It's desperation and feeling like there isn't anywhere to turn.


It is years of government (and media) lies and 'scrounger' rhetoric, about Social Security claimants.


There is only so long you can be told you're essentially not worth helping, before it starts to get to you, and you believe it.


Personally, I think it is a conscious and deliberate act.


They know these policies are costing lives, (in more ways than one), and if it was unintentional, these policies would have been stopped at the first suicide.


They haven't been, and it was known that this was likely to happen, even without an 'Impact Assessment', which SHOULD have been done.


Those in power seem to me, to assume that 'broken people, don't fight back'and so they have made life as difficult as they can for people with disabilities and illness, as well as those who are homeless, or on low incomes.


They're wrong though because we DO fight back. Every step of the way!

We can, because there are more of us, than there are of them!


Nobody chooses to be ill or have a disability. I certainly didn't choose my Cerebral Palsy!



Disability or illness, sudden loss of income or an unforeseen change in circumstances, can happen to ANYONE, at any time.


We don't have a choice about the circumstances we find ourselves in, and nobody knows what could be just around the corner for them.

I hope people make the right choice, rather than continuing to ignore suffering.













(Image via 'Pinterest)'


#Helenswriting


(Please Note: I have respected people's confidentiality by not revealing details and identities, and will be continuing to do so).