Tonight I’m interrupting your regularly scheduled blog programming to tell you that a guy with whom I served in combat, Ken William “Wild Bill” Lynn killed himself this morning.
I’ve already had my emotional reaction to it. I’m not posting this for your sympathy. I’m posting this because losing a friend sucks. I’m posting this because Wild Bill left a ton of friends who are now shocked and saddened and hurt and confused. I don’t know why he ended his life. those who had contact with him recently said that he seemed fine. The Army’s suicide prevention training taught me that those who had attempted suicide later reported in interviews that their overwhelming emotions were guilt and futility. Essentially that they felt, right or wrong, that they had fucked something important in their lives up, and that nothing they did could fix that. I know this-somebody out there reading this, whether a Vet or not, may be experiencing these feelings, and I want you to know that there is somebody in your life who will be devastated by your death. Please don’t do this horrible thing. Please reach out to the people who love you. I guarantee that whatever it is that you have done or think you have done, you probably haven’t caused as much pain as killing yourself will do. If you can’t face your loved ones, there are lots of resources out in the world. People who care for you and can help you and want to help you. I was in a real bad way a few months back. Ready to pack it in, gun in hand. I called the VA Crisis Line. They talked me down. The life I have now is radically different than the life I had then, and it’s still not perfect. I have my bad days. But it’s a hell of a lot better than the alternative.
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline— 1 (800) 273-8255
The VA Crisis Line— 1 (800) 273-8255 Option 1 (yes, they are the same number)
And of course, your local 911 service, and your local hospital Emergency Room.
Please.
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