I Wish You Would Step Back From That Ledge My Friend

In Honor of Suicide Prevention Day- 9/10

One of my favorite assignments that I had in high school was when I got to pick a decently known song and then research why the artist(s) wrote the song.

I picked the song Jumper, by Third Eye Blind.

It’s a song almost everyone knows, and can even belt out some of the lyrics too.

“I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, 
You could cut ties with all the lies, that you've been living in, 
And if you do not want to see me again, I would understand."

Sadly, the person who the song is about didn’t step back. He jumped.

The main reason why he jumped was because he was gay.

Actually that’s not the right way to put it. He was gay and his family and the people around him believed that that wasn't acceptable. Knowing he couldn’t change, he jumped off a bridge.

“The angry boy, a bit too insane, 
Icing over a secret pain, 
You know you don't belong…”

I don’t know the person who jumped, but I’m sad he did. My best friend since 4^th grade came out in a catholic school in 8^th grade that he was gay, and he faced many challenges for it. I saw his pain and tears, but then I witnessed his power first hand. As I faced problems with depression and who I was at that time, he stood by my side, and reminded me that being myself was perfect. But what really amazes me about him is this:  We entered high school together and I saw how people would treat him differently and guys would try to distance themselves from him. He took it all in stride and continued to be his loud, blunt, energetic, and deeply caring self. I sensed how my peers respected this, and their opinions started to change. By the time I was a senior my friend single handedly changed how the entire school saw him and other people who were gay. Others weren’t so afraid to come out, and people weren’t afraid to be friends with people who were gay. It was an honor to witness this and see what one person could do.

This is why suicide MUST be prevented. We can’t lose people with so much positive power. We need to show them they can help change their community and the world.

As a society, we need to be more understanding of others. We must not be afraid to talk to those who are hurting. We need to show how much we care, even if someone seems “different” than us.

I know those of you who are reading this are the people who do care. Shine your light in darkness. All anybody really wants is love. We all have enough love to give, and with that we can prevent suicide.

So happy this wonderful friend was able to get around
the people who didn't understand him and shine his light.
In turn, he got others to shine their own light.
We can ALL do the same.

For more info on suicide prevention a great place to start is the non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms: 

http://twloha.com/vision

I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, 
You could cut ties with all the lies, that you've been living in, 
And if you do not want to see me again, I would understand. 
I would understand, 
The angry boy, a bit too insane, 
Icing over a secret pain, 
You know you don't belong, 
You're the first to fight, You're way too loud, 
You're the flash of light, On a burial shroud, 
I know something's wrong, 
Well everyone I know has got a reason, To say, put the past away, 
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, 
You could cut ties with all the lies, That you've been living in, 
And if you do not want to see me again, I would understand, 
I would understand. 
Well he's on the table, And he's gone to code, 
And I do not think anyone knows, 
What they are doing here, 
And your friends have left, You've been dismissed, 
I never thought it would come to this, And I, I want you to know, 
Everyone's got to face down the demons, 
Maybe today, We can put the past away, 
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, 
You could cut ties with all the lies, that you've been living in, 
And if you do not want to see me again, I would understand, 
I would understand, 
I would understand... 
Can you put the past away, I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, 
I would understand