Surviving Suicide - Matt Caruana S2 Ep20

Matt and I discuss his suicide attempt at 16 that has left him a paraplegic. What some may find surprising is that it is something that he is grateful for. He says he wouldn't change anything in his life because he wouldn't be the person he is now that he has overcome his struggles.
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Up until the age of 12, I had lived a very typical life for a child in the city of Sydney. With great family. lots of friends and a comforting neighbourhood BUT everything was about to change drastically!
I constantly questioned my self-worth, self-image, and whether I even brought value to the world? Would people even care if I wasn’t alive? This caused major depression within myself and after years of dwelling on these questions, I felt even more worthless and struggled to see a reason to go on… I could’ve sworn I was the only one at the time feeling these emotions and having these thoughts so I bottled them up and kept it all within.
These thoughts sent me down a path of destruction with drug abuse, depression, anxiety, and ultimately on the 9th of January 2016, at only 16 years of age, I decided enough was enough and it was time to end my suffering. I made the final decision that it was time to end my life. Suicide seemed like my only option. From what I thought would be my final moment, to then waking up in hospital with a Spinal Cord Injury and a level of sadness and depression enhanced by the fact that I couldn’t even do that right.
I had to quickly adapt to new changes in my life. After a chance encounter with an inspiring stranger, I discovered the value in connection and relationships and began to open up to others. With that, all meaningful relationships grew closer in my life and things started to progressively get better for me! Most importantly, I began to feel acceptance.
With the dark cloud of depression and negative thoughts dwelling deep within, it wasn’t until a newfound purpose would be to completely eliminate all thoughts and feelings of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide. Questions about self-worth and self-image were now replaced with a sense of purpose and a reason to live. I had found my calling and realized I could help others to find theirs.
It was at that moment, I had realized that what I thought was the worst thing to ever happen in my life was now the one thing I was most grateful for. If it wasn’t for everything in my past, I wouldn’t have been in the position I was in, where I am now able to inspire individuals of all ages to see and sense their true worth and potential.
I look back in complete appreciation for every moment in my life as there were always lessons and something to be grateful for in times of triumph and failure, joy and sorrow. As an International Speaker on a Multitude of Topics, through personal and professional experience, I have come to learn the keys people are missing to unlocking a life that contains long-term happiness, passion and purpose, gratitude, resilience, and great relationships. With that, having actionable steps for people to achieve this in their lives. From Matt Caruana Website.
Links :
Website: www.mattcaruan...
Instagram: / mattshares
Facebook: / matthew.caruana.35
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Suicide prevention resources:
US National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org
Australian Suicide Prevention Hotlines: www.suicidepre...
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