Out of Stigma’s Shadow: Jada’s Story

“I didn’t know what I was feeling.”

“I wish the urges would go away.”

“It was easy to hide.”

“Broken people can’t fix broken people, but I can’t help but try.”

In high school, an abstract sadness descended on Jada. She didn’t understand it, but it made her think about ending her life. For better or worse, she found a community of people online who were also struggling. They introduced Jada to the practice of self-harm, to her detriment. Today, Jada is a mental health advocate who performs her poetry at conferences and workshops. She shares a poem that may or may not be her suicide note.