" Suicide"
The word that people are terrified to say. The word that if it must be said, it is said in a hushed tone. It's a taboo word, and a very taboo subject. But what would happen if we said the word "suicide" openly instead of keeping it secret? Yes, it is scary, but what is scarier is that people feel they cannot express their thoughts and feelings in fear that someone will run the opposite way or call them "crazy." Instead of talking about it, people act upon it. Let's change that.
According to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It is the second leading cause of death in people ages 15-34 and college students. Each year, 42,773 people die by suicide, and that's only the cases that were reported as a suicide.
According to sources, every 12.3 minutes, someone dies by suicide.
Think about that.
Every 12.3 minutes, someone dies by their own hand. That means that for every death by suicide, 25 people attempted.
Suicide is 100 percent preventable, and yet it is the 10th leading cause of death. What is going wrong? What can we do to prevent someone from taking their own life? Is there anything? Granted, there are always other factors that go play into a death by suicide, such as mental illness (90 percent of deaths by suicide are due to a mental illness), socioeconomic status, race, gender, sexuality, genetics, environment, culture, and the list could go on. We need to address all of these, but let's go back to mental illness. How many people feel ashamed to even say that they have depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, or a serious mental illness? How many people know the symptoms? How many people get help?
In this Western culture, and the world in general, there is a huge stigma around talking about mental health and mental illness. People are seen as weak, selfish, people have it worse than them, and it's all in their head. Yes, mental illness is in their head, as in, there are chemical imbalances, but people don't make up this up. By creating this stigma, people are ashamed and they don't want to get help. Untreated mental illness, especially depression and serious mental illnesses, can lead to suicide.
Robin Williams, a beloved actor by many, including myself, died by suicide. He made the world laugh and feel good, even though he was battling a war. His death was a tragedy. Due to his death, people started talking about mental illness and suicide slowly, but it can't stop there. This needs to be talked about with seriousness, and not seen as a joke or selfishness.
Campuses are losing students to suicide. Some of the best students are taking their own lives. Are campuses doing enough? Do they have support systems?
People can think suicide is selfish and awful all they want, but it is happening. It is real, and we need to talk about these things. I get it, it's scary. But no one is immune to mental illness or suicidal thoughts. If we don't talk about these things, we're going to lose more people. Let's start talking! Let's make it clear that we are willing to listen, and no one has to be ashamed of their struggles.
What can we do?
Know the warning signs:
Talking about killing themselves, feeling like a burden, feeling trapped, looking for ways to kill themselves, increased use of alcohol or drugs, withdrawing from activities, isolating from loved ones, giving away prized possessions, saying goodbye to loved ones, loss of interest, depression, and others. Find more signs here: http://afsp.org/about-suicide/risk-factors-and-warning-signs/.
Let people know they're not alone. Also, if someone has attempted, don't leave them alone.
Tell someone - a counselor, staff member, family member, professor/teacher, priest - whoever can get them appropriate help.
Take care of yourself, too.
Support and listen to them
#IHearYou - a message to the ones who struggle with suicide.
I'm creating a photo project/video on suicide. People can hold signs that start with #IHearYou and it's a message to someone struggling. What would you say? What have you said? What has someone said to you? What do you wish you could have said?
Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/CSUItsTime/
Want to participate? Email me at: bthawley@wolfmail.stritch.edu
Check out Why It's Time to Talk about Mental Illness here:
We are in this together. Let's talk about this stuff today, before we lose more people.
Struggling right now? Call the national hotline: 1 (800) 273-8255
Call a friend. We need you.
Take care and stay safe,
Brittany
