February 24, 2015
I would like to salute Graham Moore today for having the courage to admit that he attempted suicide as a teenager. While accepting the Oscar, for best adapted screen play of the Imitation Game, he said the following.
“When I was 16 years old, I tried to kill myself because I felt weird and I felt different and felt like I did not belong. And Now I am standing here”
“I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she’s weird or she’s different or she doesn’t fit anywhere.”
“Yes you do. I promise you do. You do. Stay weird. Stay different. And then when it’s your turn and you are standing on the stage, please pass the same message to the next person who comes along.”
His words could not be more truthful and touching. Because he managed to survive his suicide attempt, he was able to accept the Oscar for best adapted screenplay. As I have said before, by choosing to live another day, you give yourself a chance at living a better life and a chance at achieving unremarkable success. By choosing to end it, you deny yourself that chance.