REFLECTIONS | SASKI SMITH
Title
What Saski Smith Taught Me About Speaking Up After Suicide Loss
The Story
Loss is something we all go through, but Saski’s story is different because of generational suicide in her family. The question of why—and whether it’s nature—sits at the forefront of her everyday thoughts. Carrying that kind of weight and shame could break someone, but instead it’s led her down a path of self-discovery, positivity, and empathy. That really has to be admired.
Opening
Saski was another person who reached out on Instagram after seeing the stories. It felt like she was ready, keen to find a way to share what she’s been through, as she’s discovering a new lease of life herself. I was intrigued to learn more, especially around generational suicide.
What Stayed With Me
How do you go about your day knowing your dad took his own life, and his mum did the same? That’s something I can’t imagine not thinking about every single day. Then you reach the same age they were… and it makes you question everything. Who you are. What your future looks like. Whether the same thing could happen to you.
That thought alone, reaching the age where two generations before you took their own lives, has got to sit at the front of your mind.
The Bigger Reflection
Just because you come from the same family, with the same DNA and genetic make-up, doesn’t mean you are destined to follow the same path. You are not your parents. You can choose your own direction. What happened to previous generations does not have to define you.
You have control over your own life, your own choices, and that responsibility is yours.
A Line I Won’t Forget
“Desperate in looking for the why.”
That really stayed with me. Not having answers, personally, I think that’s one of the hardest things to deal with. You’d always be searching, always asking why. Trying to make sense of it. Wondering… is this something in me too? Is this my path?
Closing Thought
This one’s tough because there’s so much to take from it. You are not your parents. You have a choice.
And at some point, there has to be acceptance. You can’t let someone else’s life define yours
