In a cold barracks lit by a single hanging bulb, Solid Snake stands in front of a line of exhausted soldiers.
Snake folds his arms.
“Listen up. A grunt can take a lot. Mud. Cold rations. Bad intel. Even bad meds that mess with your head.”
He pauses, scanning their faces.
“But there’s a difference between enduring and suffering in silence.”
A private stares at the floor.
Snake steps closer.
“They hand you pills that twist your thoughts sideways? You report it. You feel rage that isn’t yours? You report it. You feel darkness creeping in? You report it.”
He taps his chest.
“Strength isn’t swallowing poison. Strength is calling for backup.”
A soldier mutters, “What if the backup’s late?”
Snake nods.
“Help is on the way. It doesn’t always arrive in a helicopter. Sometimes it’s the medic. Sometimes it’s the chaplain. Sometimes it’s the guy in the bunk next to you. Sometimes it’s a hot meal and a real conversation.”
He gestures toward the mess hall.
“Food is medicine. Sleep is medicine. Sunlight is medicine. Brotherhood is medicine.”
His voice lowers.
“And if you’re sitting alone thinking about doing something you can’t undo… stand down. Put the weapon away. Give yourself time. At least until the Canadian spring. Snow always melts.”
Silence.
Snake continues:
“You are not weak for struggling. You’re human. And humans fight better together.”
He looks each of them in the eye.
“A grunt can take anything — but he doesn’t have to take it alone.”
If this theme connects to how you are feeling in any way, you don’t have to carry it by yourself. In Canada, you can call or text Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566 (or text 45645 in the evening). If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
If you’d rather just talk here, I’m listening.