There’s a majorly important message behind this viral Facebook post
The photo series, Humans of Dublin, which models itself off Brandon Stanton’s amazing project, Humans of New York, shared a story on Monday that’s going epically viral—and with good reason. HoD’s Peter Varga photographed Jamie Harrington, a young man who told the story of how he helped a stranger cope in the toughest of moments. And all it took was a few simple words of kindness.
Harrington explains that he was walking in Dublin and saw a man sitting on the ledge of a bridge. He stopped and asked him if he was okay. The man clearly wasn’t, but came and sat down with Harrington after some convincing. They talked for a while as the man explained why he was feeling so depressed, and eventually the man let Harrington call an ambulance for him.
They exchanged numbers and stayed in touch. The man recently told Harrington that he and his wife are having a son and decided to name it after him.
“He said in that moment that I approached him, he was just about to jump, and those few words saved his life,” Harrington told Varga. “That they’re still ringing in his head every day. ‘Are you okay?’ I can’t really understand how these few words could save his life, but he told me, ‘Imagine if nobody ever asked you those words…’”
The post is going viral, with over 34,000 likes and 700 comments. Many of the comments commend Harrington for stepping forward. Many also note that they know similar stories, where all it took was a few kind and attentive words to help save someone.
Harrington was himself diagnosed with depression when he was 13, notes the Irish Examiner. Last year, the organization SpunOut.ie featured Harrington in a video speaking about mental health. He says he was able to work on recovery by speaking with groups and getting help.
“People always ask me, ‘What’s your motto?’” Harrington says in the video. “And mine is ‘Talk, talk, talk.’”
Harrington clearly practices his motto, and it’s an important one for everybody: By talking to other people, you not only help others, but also help yourself.
It’s also important to know that you can reach out and get help if you feel depressed. There is nothing wrong with speaking to friends, school counselors and therapists. If you need someone to talk to, you can always contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
(Image via Humans of Dublin Facebook)
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