I am a 77 year old white male with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, or, as previously known, clinical depression.

For a depressive like me, life hasn’t always been easy and I have experienced suicidal ideation often, which sometimes has lead to suicidal intent.  In my late 20s, a suicide attempt (by strangulation) was nearly successful, and that’s when I got help. 

I am alive today (and glad of it) because I got the help I needed: medication and therapy were surely my lifesavers.

Please, to all people, and especially young people, if you are experiencing suicidal anguish and just want to end things, don’t do it.  You can still have a rich and rewarding life, believe me.  I’ve had a successful and rewarding career, 4 children, and an amazing wife who always had my back and I know she loves me deeply.  Soon we’ll celebrate our 50th anniversary.

It does not matter that I still need my medications & therapist even after a lifetime.  I’m alive because of it.