Two celebrity suicides made news recently. It’s a tragedy. Even more of a tragedy is that the rate of suicide is growing in this country. And whenever a well known celebrity suffers from this fate, the news media brings the issue into our collective consciousness for a brief moment and gives us the opportunity to discuss the troubling trend and some possible solutions.
We mourn, along with the rest of the country, the loss of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, and offer sympathy and prayers for them, their families and friends. Perhaps through this adversity we can have a conversation that could be of help to ourselves and others.
Help Ease the Fear
Suicide is now the 10th largest cause of death in the United States. It is one of only three categories of death that has increased annually, growing 25% between 1999 and 2016. Twice as many people die by suicide compared to homicide. We would call that an epidemic.
Perhaps the most interesting data point is that approximately twice as many successful suicides are committed by men as compared to women. In broad terms, this is an indication of an openness on the part of women in general to acknowledge their mental health issues and seek treatment. At the same time, while prescription drugs are increasingly employed to treat a variety of mental health issues, talk therapy is on the decline. The two must go hand in hand. The medications allow for clearer thinking and increase one’s ability to open up to issues and deal with them head on. The medication is the catalyst, the talk therapy the solution. Without the opportunity to express feelings and handle emotional issues in the open, problems necessarily fester and built up, all too frequently resulting in the ultimate resolution, death by suicide.
The stigma associated with mental health disorders remains as the last great stigma in this country and that is a main obstacle to many seeking out the proper treatments. Many are afraid to share feelings with others and are prone to denial, preferring instead to put up a strong front in the face of family members, friends, and colleagues. They solider on because it’s “safer” than seeking out the opinions of others opening up oneself to being perceived as “weak” or “crazy.”
Homeland Security created a great awareness campaign at airports: “If you see something, say something”. We can also apply that thought for those around us who seem to suffer from depression and anxiety. Encouraging people to talk, perhaps initially to us and later to a professional, can save a life. If you think someone is having a tough time, say something… just by acknowledging that you think someone might be suffering, you could help to put them on the road to recovery rather than the road to the cemetery.
Help is At Hand
If you or a loved one want help, the National Suicide Prevention hotline is available 24/7 at 800-273-8255. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.
One thing that all people share is that we only get one life. If we can help ourselves or others to live a longer and happier life, shouldn’t we?