Behind The Shield Of A Strong Façade: A Suicidal Crisis

Christine went to the kitchen to get a sleeping tablet. She swallowed the whole bottle. Why?Christine had been strong all her life. She had dealt with mental health issues that included caregiving, raised a son with multiple disabilities, and recovered from severe antidepressant withdrawal.She had always hidden behind a façade of being strong, her shield that kept her safe and protected her from terrifying feelings.The Covid lockdowns coincided with a prolonged period of caregiving stress and financial worries. As well as her own health needs, her son needed additional support, and her parents needed to move into care.Christine was struggling to hold on to life in the present. She was suffering from caregiver burnout. Seeking help meant facing the truth. Life had been traumatically taken from her in the past. This is an insightful, courageous and ultimately triumphant account of a suicide attempt and her recovery.