Suicide is Preventable
With the death of comedian/actor Robin Williams continuously in the news cycle, I wanted to share a post that I wrote about death by suicide. I'm actually doing a 5-part series on suicide because there' so much stigma attached to bipolar disorder and mental illness. http://crosswellnessrecovery.com/?p=397.
Recent Comments
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Hi Simon,
Thanks so much for your great post. It really hits home hard....with my father committing suicide and recently due to my work I have had severe episodes of depression. But I have recovered with the help of some professionals and family. I now have left that toxic work environment that I have been living in the last 18 years. I am in a very good place right now and looking for a new chapter in my life.
DES
Outstanding and you just made my day. I just want people to know that treatment works and suicide can be prevented. Awareness is so important. Again thank you for your comment and may God continue to bless and keep you.I hope you follow the series.
Hi Simon, a lot of good info on your site. I tried to leave a comment but ( error caption code unreadable) I tried it twice and the same thing came up.
Thank you and I hope it just opens one person's eyes an it would have been well worth it.
Very informative article. I'm amazed at how many individuals are so well versed on such a sad disorder. And I am grateful to all who study the human mind to help understand and find treatment for those who suffer. Thank you for sharing.
DMLesko, I so appreciate you comment and I'm glad you found it informative. My soul point is to educate folks about a health problem that is treatable and preventable. But awareness must happen first. I've actually spent the last 2 hours replying to comments from FB, Google+, WA and my blog. I more than happy to continue the discussion. Its needed.
Hello Simon, It's a very informational piece you wrote, and I'm sure a lot of people will have benifit from it, but it also makes me feel uneasy, if you are not crossing a line by putting Robin's picture and story so prominent at first, I, for myself, would not like it when I was a familymember, and I would read suicide is preventable if the person is willing to adhere to their treatment plan, We, as family, went though several suicides and after 25 years, we still have remorse and aching over this profound question: What if we had paid more attention, could we prevented it? I wonder whether it is ethical to write it this way, even before he is burried. If you want to react, I am here. Greetings Loes
Hi Loes and thanks for your comment. I would agree that death by suicide is a very emotional and tragic occurrence. When it comes to mental illness, there is a huge wave of stigma against it. People who have the condition are afraid to even seek treatment. My goal is to use the death of Robin Williams as an opportunity to educate folks about mental illness. There needs to be a greater awareness about the fact that it is a very treatable and manageable health condition. I too know all to well the grief associated with death by suicide, having survived several attempts of my own. I've also loss some very close friends that way. If I had been educated about suicide prevention, I could have intervened and possibly helped keep some good friends. People need to know that feelings of overwhelming sorrow and pain will pass with the proper treatment and support. That is the main point behind me doing this series of articles. Education, awareness an support saves lives. People who suffer from these illnesses can lead better, more productive lives.
Hi Simon, I really don't question your integrity, I read the piece and I think it is a good thought writhing. And not alone a mental disease will bring people to the edge of ending their lives. Often it's a pile of things which make them do this. Somethimes they do not need a medicine but only understanding and hope. But nevertheless it creeps me a little to see you using the death of a famous man to get your story to attention. Even when I know your intention is good. Loes
Faith based not scientifically based. These are the people I was talking about in my response to a blog. A little bit and f knowledge is mortal. You can get offended. Religious attitudes are often based on ignorance, fear and arrogantly cavalier ideals on morality.
That particular post was really about the science, because people still have a hard time grasping the concept as it relates to mental health. However, we know that in for treatment, the best outcomes occur when there is a combination of science and faith. The compliment one another. And I agree with you whole heartedly that many religious attitudes are the result of ignorance and fear, that's why its important to share the light of truth. I don't think suicide is a moral issue. Its a health problem.
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All things are preventable but its only when people choose to act that change takes place
War is preventable
Poverty is preventable
Disease is preventable
World hunger is preventable
Pollution is preventable
But we choose not to prevent them
I have felt suicidal, but I chose to do something about it, he chose not to
There is no power in knowledge, to know is not enough, we must act
Barry
Bazboy247 I agree so many things are preventable. However, in the case of someone suffering from a bout of major depression, their ability for rational reasoning is taken away. The decision making process is greatly flawed and impaired.
I suffer form major bouts of depression and I still make the decision to do something about it
I have felt suicidal due to extreme abuse yet I can still make decisions
Robin Williams has suffered for depression for many years he could have gone to therapy and faced himself but he chose not to
He had every possible solution at his disposal, he was extremely rich he could have afforded the best private help in the world he had access to more than most of us ever will, but he chose not to face himself because that meant having feelings that he did not want to feel
We can not ran away for ever, we have to face out fears at some point
He was not depressed every minute of every day when he was feeling OK he could have sought help but he chose not to
We are our choices
Barry
Barry, based on your comment, I think you would be interested in my latest post, which speaks to your point about choices. http://crosswellnessrecovery.com/christians-and-suicide-a-faith-based-perspective-on-bipolar-assisted-deaths-3/#more-445. Let me know if you feel that I've grossly missed the mark about the whole ordeal.
Although I am not a christian, it is my faith in God and my purpose which gives me the strength to face my self and gain strength from not feeling alone but I have the love and guidance of God
I thought your article was wonderful
Barry
Thanks Barry.