Emily Kwong

I love how these are all active verbs, you know, observe, share, help me, because it is an active choice to be there for someone going through this.

Like an image that really helped me in supporting my mom, it was a screenshot in my phone, was

If a person is sitting at the bottom of a hole, you can't just shout down into the hole.

We'll climb out of the hole.

That's right.

In fact, what you have to do is have the courage to go down into the hole and sit with them, to accompany them in that moment.

And that's when change can really happen.

What's compelling about this music to me is it embodies how I wish my mom was treated before and after her attempt.

But so often this compassion is not shown to people who have suicidal thoughts.

Exactly.

And people can respond in ways that are very counterproductive.

Yeah.

We talked about this a few years ago that most people naturally want to call 911 in an emergency situation, but that is not always the best approach when someone is in a suicidal crisis.

Yeah.

And I'm right here.

These are beautiful things.

And they are so validating of that person's reality.

How is this song being received by people in her field?

Ritu Chatterjee, thank you so, truly so much for bringing this song, this message, this care onto Shortwave.

If you would like to listen to the full song or read the lyrics, check out the link in our episode notes.