Blessing Timidi Digha who lost two kids in house fire narrates how she overdosed a couple of times
Blessing Timidi Digha, who lost two of her kids in a house fire has opened up about overdosing a couple of times after their death.
Blessing lost her children, aged 2 and 4, on June 23, 2018, in Ondo state.
She has now revealed that she struggled with “survivor guilt” and on November 19, 2019, she took an assortment of pills and lay in her bed, waiting to die.
Fortunately, a friend found her and called 911 and she was rushed to the hospital where treatment was administered.
Blessing Tim revealed that before the incident, she spoke to her psychiatrist and social workers that she’s been having thoughts of overdosing.
Blessing Timidi Digha wrote:
International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on 31 August each year. Its purpose is to raise awareness of overdoses, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths and acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends.
We all have a role to play, either as individuals, religious institutions, family unit, friends, and workplaces to ensure that stigma and judgement are a thing of the past and people can seek help openly and with ease.
August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day and a Christian group has asked me to speak to a small subgroup of theirs about overdose.
While I am scared to share that part of my journey, I am glad that at least one Religious group is being realistic about this.
I have overdosed a couple of times after losing my kids but on 19th November 2019, my girlfriends took me out & I had mad fun. On my way back to the shelter where I lived, I started feeling serious Survivor Guilt. I cried all the way in the TTC till I got home.
Prior to this day, I had been having thoughts of overdosing which I discussed with my psychiatrist, social workers & xFwB.
On this day, I got to the shelter, tired & drained. So I counted the remaining meds I had & swallowed them all. And texted I Love Yous to family & friends.
I climbed my bed so I could just sleep off (die) peacefully but my xFwB came rushing to the shelter, 911 was called & I was rushed to the hospital.
Thankfully, I had a robust support system who helped me go through those thoughts without judgment and stigma. They shielded me.
I have not had thoughts of overdosing in a very very long time but I am also careful around medication plus I reach out for help immediately I feel myself sinking.
Stigma & judgement doesn’t help, instead it makes people pretend about what they are going through.
I remembered to tell the church (and I’m telling other churches & mosques now), PLEASE REFER PEOPLE TO PROFESSIONALS WHEN THEY APPROACH YOU WITH ISSUES THAT YOU ARE NOT EQUIPPED FOR. DON’T GUILT TRIP PEOPLE WITH SCRIPTURES TO PRETEND THAT ALL IS WELL AND DANDY.
And for the person(s) that have used overdose (and madness) to insult me before, na mental health issues I get, I no kill person.”
