Two months ago my younger brother James died suddenly and tragically as the result of undiagnosed depression. I can't tell you the absolute sadness, excruciating pain and incredible loss this has been to our family and to James' close friends and work colleagues.
James was a loving father to three children and a caring & considerate husband to his wife. He was a highly trusted and successful banker and spent his weekends playing with his young boys and coaching a junior soccer team. He loved is family and respected his parents and ensured he visited them on a regular basis. Silently however he was suffering greatly with agonising feelings & impulses brought on by depression...my brother was in his early 40's and although he was taking action to help create more positive thoughts in his life he was unable to sustain them. With the pressures & demands of modern day life my dear brother was clearly unable to cope and worse still he was unable to reach out in order to seek the help he so desperately required.
As human beings it is vital that we take care of each other whilst having compassion and understanding for those around us. We need to reflect on the importance of life and what we can do to help or serve others better. In this fast paced modern world everyone seems so busy with their own lives & technology (computers, mobile phones, tablets, ipods etc) that we are forgetting that as human beings we need hope, love, touch, acknowldegement, respect, appreciation,understanding, comfort, reassurance, support, attention, etc etc. Before my brother passed away he had even initiated a "media free" night once a week in his own home...a very worthy idea for those of us who live with people glued to their devices.
The end of my dear brothers life must have been a terribly sad & lonely experience despite working full time & living in a busy household with his wife & children. The feelings of insignificance & unworthiness were obviously all too much to live with.
I ask that you really take the time and make the effort on a regular basis to really know what is happening in the lives of those you love, live with & work with. Often the signs of depression are there but we must be receptive to those around us and acknowledge when they are not acting themselves or embarking in strange behaviours. When things aren't quite right take action...take them to a Dr, take them to a counsellor, talk to others about your concerns, contact their family & friends to see if they have noticed anything strange. In the majority of cases depression is a treatable disease...believe me you never want to experience the loss our family has, the pain is intense and the questions and "what ifs" become consuming on a daily basis.
May peace be with you now James and may you continue to shine your light on others...may God bless you and watch over you forever.
In memory of my brother his mate has set up a Facebook page for him (rather ironic though as my brother hated Facebook). Still...it gives his family a place to share their memories, look at photos, reflect on his life and keep his memory alive.
https://www.facebook.com/wemissjamesplayer
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