People helping people, that’s what it’s all about.
A 23 year old named Nicole Oyola was driving down the road when she noticed vehicle on the side of the road and a man )possibly in his early twenties) whom she thought was having car trouble.
Nicole was going to keep driving, as most people would, but something made her stop.
Turns out, the man she saw was about to take his own life.
As Nicole shared to a local news station, “I started talking to him. I told him, ‘You’re worth it. You’re enough. I don’t know what you’re going through, but I love you and God loves you and everything is going to be okay.’”
Those kind words from a complete stranger were enough to make an impact in this man’s life, in those precious moments that mattered.
Nicole continues, “He looked at me, and after he looked at me he started crying and I said, ‘I just want to give you a hug.’ So he came to the other side and I gave him a hug.’”
Once the man was safely off the ledge, with his permission, Nicole called police, who got there and prayed with the man before taking him somewhere he could get continued help.
Nicole shares, “God has a purpose for everyone. I believe in that, so I stopped. I just wanted to help him feel better. If I was going through that, I would want someone to stop for me, too.”
According to Crisis Center of Tampa Bay CEO Clara Reynolds, a simple act of compassion can make all the difference.
Reynolds goes on to explain, “Personal interaction from somebody that just says, ‘You know what? I care about you. I’m here for you. I don’t want to see you go.’ That is the game changer. That can be the live-saver.”
If you, or anyone you know are experience thoughts of suicide, please don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
