Creeping up A silent foe Breaking him down Nice and slow
Crushing all Hopes and dreams Bravery fading silent screams
Fighting on War and peace Just to get A partial release
A little confidence Suddenly lost, One step forwards The ultimate cost
Walls built A safe distance Hiding the world From his existence
A man in a cave Keeping away Building the courage To battle today
Invisible injury A runaway train Mental illness Significant pain
Weakness… It's how it's perceived Colleagues find… It hard to believe
Trauma consumes His fragile mind He seeks a spot That's hard to find
Lack of remorse Absent support Pushing him To obvious thoughts
Away from the public Away from the noise Away from the world He said his goodbyes
Discovered alone Discovered too late Discovered the body Discovered his fate
Tears shed Guilt ridden hearts Talking history Picking him apart
Realisation Lack of due care Former colleague...
Empty chair
By Darren Wall
It's World Mental Health Day today. I have changed an old poem that speaks from the heart. Although I have never had the intention, I have seen the damage it can have on families.
I'm grateful that the world acknowledges Mental Health each year, but this illness should not be confined to a day. Awareness, support, empathy and understanding should be instilled in us all every single day.
Colleagues, friends and family. We need to support each other to reduce the number of suicides in the world.
Speak up, communicate and prevent the trauma affecting the families that lose someone they love.