The article reflects on the author's father's suicide a decade ago, highlighting the stark contrast between the mundane details of the day and the gravity of his choice to end his life. Despite external signs of normalcy, including his dedication to work and family, the father's underlying struggles remained hidden. It emphasizes that decisions leading to suicide can occur quickly, shedding light on the complexities of mental health and the often unseen pain individuals may carry, even when they appear to be thriving.
The time between deciding to end one's life and performing self-harm is, often, no more than ten minutes, according to a 2021 study of unsuccessful suicide attempts.
Even so, my dad's suicide was shocking. Despite his physical impairments, he worked every weekday, ran with me on the beach, and advised me on my college applications.
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