Can hopelessness kill people? By the time you finish reading this article, at least six people will have died by suicide (World Health Organization, WHO). According to the WHO, 800,000 people suffering from mental illness die by suicide each year globally. Many of these tragic cases are deeply linked to overwhelming feelings of hopelessness. There are other scenarios, not included in this count, such as substance abuse, chronic illness, breakups, and other adverse situations that foster hopelessness, tragically leading some individuals to end their own lives.
Even for those who do not take the drastic step of suicide, the effects of hopelessness can be devastating. Many of us may continue living but without any real joy for the present or hope for the future, existing rather than truly living. Hope is essential in facing the pain and darkness of life, guiding us toward a brighter and more meaningful future. It is not a mere option but a necessity if we want to live with joy, contentment, and a sense of purpose.
Hope does not erase the darkness or shorten the night. Instead, it equips us to rise up and walk through it with courage and perseverance. Hope ignites a light within our soul, empowering us to move forward even in the thickest of darkness.
Consider one current challenge in your life. Reflect on how cultivating hope might help you take that next step toward a new dawn.
Notes,
World Health Organization. (2018, October 10). 800,000 people kill themselves every year. What can we do?