It’s approaching Christmas day; the shops are fully stocked with all things Christmas-sy. But where would we be without a feel-good Christmas movie. Everyone has their favourites; Christmas with the Kranks, Miracle on 34th street, the classic Home Alone movies. Yet nothing can beat a good black and white movie like It’s a Wonderful Life (1942), starring one of my favourite actors, James Stewart.
In this movie, James Stewart plays an ambitious young character called George Bailey, who is ready to travel the world, and see all the sites. However, unexpectedly his Father passes away. Leaving George Bailey at a crossroad, not knowing whether to continue with his quest to travel the world, or reluctantly take over the family business. He decides on the latter, and takes over his Father’s business for two reasons: so it doesn’t get into the hands of his Father’s wealthy and ruthless opposition Mr Potter, – and also in hope that his younger brother will return home and eventually take over the family business.
After several years, (James Stewart’s character) George’s younger brother Harry returns, happily married with job prospects that push Harry further away from the family business. George Bailey’s dreams are dashed. But he also falls in love, marries and settles down, yet still as his dreams of travelling in the back of his mind. (There’s a point to this story guys) Things start to look up for George. Yet regrettably his uncle Billy carelessly loses £8,000 pounds from the Building & Loan cash flow (the family business), which puts the family business in serious jeopardy.
As a last resort, George Bailey reaches out to Mr Potter, in hope that he would loan him £8,000, since the bank examiner was due to examine George’s family business affairs, that very same day.
I remember one thing that stood out to me the most in the movie; this one line incautiously said by Mr Potter, I quote: “You’re worth more dead than alive”
This one phrase, this one moment led the character George Bailey down the road of despond, and eventually despair. George considered jumping over a bridge and ending it all. But his guardian angel jumps in and George ends up rescuing his guardian angel ( Clarence) instead, – who then shows George what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for George’s life.
We cannot tear out a single page of our life,
but we can throw the whole book in the fire.
—George Sand
I don’t think I’m fully qualified to discuss what I’m calling the Big “S.” I studied it from a sociological perspective at college. From the sociological perspective of Durkheim there can be many social reasons for someone taking their own life, political reasons, bereavement, or disconnection from society (or in George Bailey’s case declaring bankruptcy), However I don’t believe something like suicide can be so black and white.
Most of us have experienced moments of hopelessness or feelings of wanting to give up. Yet our experiences may have not driven us to utter despair. According to the Samaritans there were 6,507 suicides in the UK in 2018, and it went onto say that men are 3 times more likely to die by suicide than women. More times than most I think the suicide or attempted suicide is a cry for Help.
Remember these points below:
Life can’t do without you
Most people tend to have an under exaggerated opinions of themselves. Right now you may be thinking: “Life wouldn’t miss me if I wasn’t here”... but unknown to you, your life as a knock on effect on other lives. (There’s only one of you.) I could think of dozens of scenarios where my life as effected someone else. For example, when a friend has felt lonely, or discouraged, I would always lean a listening ear. The fact that I always remember family birthdays, and everyone else usually forgets, (first person to text on group chats) These seem like simple and sometimes insignificant things. Yet one simple act, or word may have saved someone’s day, or life. I wish we could actually have a guardian angel like Clarence who could show us what this world would be without us…
Reach out to professionals
I’ve always had a “This too shall pass” motto to life – yet I’ve found that some thoughts are fleeting other thoughts are ingraining on our very souls. – in times when thoughts of death and despair bombard you don’t feel shame or afraid of asking for help early ( through therapy or counselling)
You’re not the odd one out
Most people have had moments of hopelessness throughout life, it may be a bereavement,not knowing where your life is going, battling with mental health issues on a day to day basis or feeling like a failure. Know this: so many people are in similar (sometimes worse) predicaments than you. I say this not to undermine or belittle your circumstance but so you don’t feel alone in this battle.
Remember this is not a sign of weakness
Suicidal thoughts is a symptom that something is wrong or out of balance. I don’t know if it’s a chemical imbalance in the brain, changes in medication, or a life event that triggers suicidal thoughts?? Yet like mental health the Big S doesn’t discriminate it’s victims – The suicide statistics reflect that many people have hit a hard place.
Hope is a necessity for normal life and the major weapon against the suicide impulse.
—Karl A. Menninger
Helpful Links:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide/
Helplines:
Samaritans – for everyone
Call 116 123
Email jo@samaritans.orgInformation:
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
Visit the webchat pageInformation:
Papyrus – for people under 35
Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm
Text 07860 039967
Email pat@papyrus-uk.orgInformation:
LookafterU4me 