[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/5″][vc_single_image image=”131882″ img_size=”full” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/5″][vc_column_text css=””]I was a mother and that experience had a huge impact on my life. I adopted my son when he was only one month old and, when he turned 17, the first psychotic outbreaks awoke in him and, in me, the great nightmare of this cruel disease. We began to live like those running on an obstacle course, and at every step we had to overcome bureaucracy, medical income problems, different opinions of psychiatrists and endless, messy paths where we didn’t know what we were doing or what thay were telling you. Everything seemed the same to me. It was thanks to the AFES Mental Health Association (Tenerife), who helped me with all my knowledge about what was happening, guiding me and giving me everything I needed to be able to deal with my son’s illness. He was only 23 years old when he decided that he had no place in this earthly life to endure so much. His illness led him to live differently and this often led to him being rejected by others. Unwanted loneliness. The misunderstanding on the part of the teachers, who rather of supporting him, didn’t want him in class. The lack of continuous psychological monitoring, as he was unaware of his illness. The loss of contact with friends and family, due to not being able to tolerate the noise, the murmurs. The search for darkness, because light is its enemy. Uncontrolled laughter everywhere and being the constant gaze of others who already judge you as “the crazy one” of the place. Their extravagant explanations, which go unheard and are the focus of ridicule and jokes from others. The feeling that they are running away from you because their presence is scary. Seeing that his life is not understood, because he lived his reality different from mine and that of others. For not being mature enough to understand that what he suffers from is a mental illness and just defies you, wholly refusing to let himself be helped, and refuses, over and over again, to want to take medication, as it leaves him completely shut down. For the four terrifying involuntary admissions he experienced and for which, of course, he blamed me over and over again. Because he couldn’t find the best way to silence the voices in his head and, for this reason, he looked for the solution by continuing to consume.
He spent 7 days in the morgue, alone, with no one to cry for him
It was almost eight in the evening when an inspector from the Missing Persons Brigade called me. He showed up at my house and, giving me facts about my son, confirmed that the black boy I had kept in the morgue for seven days was Marco. My first desperate cry was for his loss, for no longer having him. I cried a lot for him, I cursed everything that didn’t help him improve and, on the contrary, this consoled me in understanding what he did: mourn his death or that he didn’t live? My second cry was when I learned that my son had spent seven days in the morgue because they had confused him with a boy who arrived by boat. Colored, without documentation… and they didn’t even bother to check the missing person’s report he had filed with his full description. At the hospital they told us that no black boy had been admitted and that he died there… and I, and many others, spent seven days looking for him. When I uploaded it to the networks, the inspector appeared.I didn’t feel guilty, I did everything I knew and learned. Could it have been avoided…? Definitely yes.We must continue to work for mental health.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Article published in La Voz de SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA, Encuentro magazine, n. 2, 2024.
A suffering that led her to suicide… But what happened for this to be her choice?
Article by Cristina Acosta, president of the Mental Health Federation of the Canary Islands. Article published in Encuentro Magazine, n. 2, 2024.
I was a mother and that experience had a huge impact on my life. I adopted my son when he was only one month old and, when he turned 17, the first psychotic outbreaks awoke in him and, in me, the great nightmare of this cruel disease.
We started living like runners on an obstacle course, and at every step we had to overcome bureaucracy, medical income problems, different opinions of psychiatrists, and endless, messy paths where we didn’t know what we were doing or what they were telling you. Everything seemed the same to me. It was thanks to the AFES Mental Health Association (Tenerife), who helped me with all my knowledge about what was happening, guiding me and giving me everything I needed to be able to deal with my son’s illness.
He was only 23 years old when he decided that he had no place in this earthly life to endure so much. His illness led him to live differently and this often led to him being rejected by others. Unwanted loneliness. The misunderstanding on the part of the teachers, who rather of supporting him, didn’t want him in class. The lack of continuous psychological monitoring, as he was unaware of his illness. The loss of contact with friends and family, due to not being able to tolerate the noise, the murmurs. The search for darkness, because light is its enemy. Uncontrolled laughter everywhere and being the constant gaze of others who already judge you as ”the crazy one” of the place. Their extravagant explanations, which go unheard and are the focus of ridicule and jokes from others. The feeling that they are running away from you as their presence is scary.Seeing that his life is not understood, as he lived his reality different from mine and that of others.For not being mature enough to understand that what he suffers from is a mental illness and just defies you, completely refusing to let himself be helped, and refuses, over and over again, to want to take medication, because it leaves him completely shut down.
For the four terrifying involuntary admissions he experienced and for which, of course, he blamed me over and over again. Because he couldn’t find the best way to silence the voices in his head and,for this reason,he looked for the solution by continuing to consume.
He spent 7 days in the morgue, alone, with no one to mourn him
It was almost eight in the evening when an inspector from the Missing Persons Brigade called me. he showed up at my house and, giving me information about my son, confirmed that the black boy I had kept in the morgue for seven days was Marco.
My first desperate cry was for his loss, for no longer having him. I cried a lot for him, I cursed everything that didn’t help him improve and, on the contrary, this consoled me in understanding what he did: mourn his death or that he didn’t live?
Black, without documentation… And they didn’t even bother to check the missing person’s report he had filed with his full description. At the hospital they told us that no black boy had been admitted and that he died there…and I, and many others, spent seven days looking for him. When I uploaded it to the networks, the inspector appeared.
I didn’t feel guilty, I did everything I knew and learned. Could it have been avoided…? Definitely yes. We must continue to work for mental health.
How can communities better support individuals struggling with mental health issues to prevent suicide?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Cristina Acosta, Expert in Mental Health
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Cristina! Thank you for joining us today.your recent article in La Voz de Salud Mental españa has sparked significant conversation about the complex issues surrounding mental health and suicide. Let’s start with a rather difficult question: can you help us understand how someone might arrive at the tragic decision of taking their own life?
Cristina Acosta: Thank you for having me. It’s always difficult to talk about such a sensitive topic. Suicide often is not about a single event but rather a culmination of overwhelming feelings, hopelessness, and, unfortunately, a lack of access to adequate mental health resources. Many individuals facing these struggles feel isolated and believe that their pain is insurmountable.
Time.news Editor: That’s a very poignant point.You mentioned the lack of access to mental health resources. How prevalent is this issue in our society today?
Cristina Acosta: It’s quite significant. In many regions, resources such as counseling and therapy are either scarce or stigmatized. Those in distress might hesitate to seek help due to fear of judgment or simply not knowing where to turn. The crisis we see often stems from a combination of personal, social, and systemic factors. We need to work together to break down these barriers.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of barriers, your article highlighted societal stigma as a challenge. Can you elaborate on how societal perceptions can contribute to someone’s suffering?
Cristina Acosta: Absolutely. Stigma tends to create an environment where individuals feel ashamed of their mental health struggles. This shame can prevent them from reaching out for help. When society views mental illness through a narrow lens, it can, unfortunately, exacerbate feelings of guilt and isolation.We need to foster a culture where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health, promoting open conversations and acceptance.
Time.news Editor: That’s critical. In your article, you also touched upon the role of community and support systems. Can you elaborate on how these factors can positively impact those struggling with suicidal thoughts?
Cristina Acosta: Community support can be a lifeline for individuals facing mental health issues. When friends, family, or community members are educated about mental health, they are better equipped to provide understanding and encouragement. Involving oneself in social activities or support groups can also alleviate feelings of isolation.Ultimately, feeling connected and valued can make a substantial difference in someone’s life.
Time.news Editor: Very enlightening. For listeners who might be struggling or know someone who is, what practical steps can they take?
Cristina Acosta: The first step is to communicate openly and honestly. If you are struggling, reaching out to someone you trust can help. For those who wish to support others, show empathy and validate their feelings without offering unsolicited advice. Encourage professional help, as trained professionals can provide essential tools to cope with these feelings. Remember, it’s important to check in regularly—sometimes just knowing someone is there can make a world of difference.
Time.news Editor: Those are valuable insights. Before we wrap up, what message would you like to leave our audience with regarding mental health and suicide prevention?
Cristina Acosta: I want to emphasize that mental health should not be treated as a taboo subject. Everyone experiences ups and downs, and it is okay to seek help. By sharing our experiences and creating environments of support and understanding, we can save lives. Let’s help turn the conversation around mental health into one of compassion, support, and action.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, cristina. your insights are incredibly critically important. Let’s keep this conversation going.
Cristina Acosta: Thank you for the possibility!
