Matt Fraction -- an acclaimed comic book writer whose work includes "Iron Man" and "Hawkeye" -- has a Tumblr page. He updates it regularly with memes, GIFs, vintage pictures, and photographs from comic book conventions. But this week, when a fan on Tumblr asked him about suicide, Fraction used his website to instead share some powerful advice.
Tumblr user whiskyjack posed the following to Fraction:
Sorry to put this on you but I have an honest question about depression an suicide. Isn't it completely possible for it to be a alternative for someone. Can't there be someone out there who genuinely is tired and doesn't want to continue. I know there is beauty and wonderful things in this world. There are things to look forward to. There will be more pain but also more laughter. But what if I'm not interested?
Fraction's response is truly inspiring.
"First off, I'd say, seek professional help," he writes. "My experience says, if you are in such a deep and dark place where you say things like this to total strangers on the internet, you need to be in contact with someone who can help you start to heal."
But then, he delved deeper. He told the commenter about a time when he came close to suicide. He explained that he decided not to go through with it because he asked himself, "Well, is there anything you’re curious about? Anything you want to see play out?" That "anything," as trivial as it may seem, was the ending of a comic book.
All you need is that one tiny thing, that speck, that little grain of sand. the World Series, AVENGERS 2, Tina Fey’s new show, the first issue of PRETTY DEADLY, some slice of the world you’ve never seen, some drink you love, who the fuck will love your dog like you do if you’re gone, what if jabrams KILLS it on the new STAR WARS, the hell are you doing for Halloween, you ever feed a dolphin with your bare hand? because i have and I am fucking telling you IT IS A THING TO EXPERIENCE and oh god WHAT FUCKING FONT WILL STARBUCKS USE ON THE CHRISTMAS DRINK SLEEVES THIS YEAR — i don’t care what or how dumb but i promise you somewhere in your life is that one fleck of dust that can help start you on the road back. That’s all it takes. One fucking mote, drifting through your head.
Hopefully, his reader -- and anyone going through a hard time -- will hear this loud and clear.
For Fraction's full response, visit his Tumblr page.