TW: mental illness, suicide
hi! so i'm really looking for advice here. i want to write a character that is mentally ill and commit suicide, but i'm having a difficult time figuring out how to do it sensitively. i want it to be impactful, but i don't want to trigger anyone (cough cough, 13RW) i've read tons of guides online, but something still feels off. i'd really appreciate any advice you have!! the last thing i want is to trivialise or romanticise such a serious subject.
(Just fair warning I don't have depression or experience suicidal thoughts myself so i don't have a first hand experience but I have read a lot of shitty writing and were they make depression and suicide over-glorified so keep that in mind when i'm giving the advice here)
TW: Depression, suicide, anything relating to these two topics really
I think the main thing to realise about depression is that its a very real thing that very real people experience, its not a T.V or fanfiction trope and there are many layers and reasons why someone feels the way they feel or does the things they do. You can't be "saved" by falling in love with someone and discovering the true meaning of life is love or something like that, its harmful and to be driven to such an extent of emptiness to take your own life is very serious. You shouldn't give a character depression, anxiety, PSTD or any other mental illnesses for the sake of being "cool" or "dark" or even for the sake of drama, make sure that the character that you are having commit suicide has a reason to and we see them struggle and try and then eventually their death (this sounds really fucked up sorry about that)
Another things is that if you get the chance talk with people who have depression or have experience it as long as they are comfortable of course! Places like forums or hell even youtube video are good spots to learn and research, WebMD can only tell you so much about symptoms but the experience is different.
I guess last piece of advice as someone who likes to write a lot of diversity would be to remember if you are trying to represent a group of people that you are not apart of (whether that be race, gender, sexuality, religion, mental state, nationality ;etc) its not your job to tell everyone that story…let people who are apart of those communities to tell those stories. Easiest way to explain is that you can have characters with autism, have them well written and likable with good story line, but you probably shouldn't be telling the story of a character with autism when you have no experience with it.
If you have a character profile I can look over that would be great too! I can give some critique there but if not yet and this character is still more of an idea thats totally okay too.
If there is anymore questions I can do my best! Its more of a mess of thoughts here but I hope it makes some sense
