Tag: suicide prevention month

“I am depressed today” almost all of us have said this or felt this at one time or another in our life but according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Depressive disorder, frequently referred to simply as depression, is more than just feeling sad or going through a rough patch. It is a serious mental health condition that requires understanding and medical care. Left untreated, depression can be devastating for those who have it and their families. And then there is another side and as the World Health Organization (WHO) stated, “At its worst, depression can lead to suicide. Over 700,000 people in the world die due to suicide every year”.

I know one of those 700,000 who lost their battle with depression. On the outside he seemed to have everything going for him, a loving wife, two amazing daughters who were just starting their lives after college, a partner in a company that was having a successful year, a supportive extended family, and more friends than most people could ever claim to know. He was always the life of the party from the first time I met him in college until the last time I saw him in July. I knew he suffered from bouts of depression. And I knew that it affected his behavior when I saw him, or more likely did not see him, because he did not want to do anything. His wife and daughters would say, “He doesn’t feel well today” but those of us in the know, knew he was in the midst of one of his bouts. He tried, boy did he try to beat this disease. He saw a doctor; he was on meds, and he struggled to overcome this debilitating disease but in the end it won.

I am so proud of his wife and daughters because they are talking about depression. They are not hiding the fact that he lost his battle and that his life ended when he died by suicide. They are using his death as a teachable moment. They are talking about depression and suicide. They have included it in his obituary, in their Facebook posts, in their conversations with anyone that will listen. They are spreading the message that someone who was always there for everyone, who was a little league coach, a proud father, a devoted husband, and an amazing friend can suffer from depression. Not everyone is okay. There is nothing to be ashamed of by seeking help. Check on your family and friends, I mean really check in with them. Let them know there is help available and keep encouraging them to seek that help. As his daughter said, “Everyday should be suicide prevention day. Everyday someone struggles and thinks they are alone when they have a whole army of love ready to fight with them. Mental health has a stigma in this society that needs to be broken especially with men. It does not make you weak or unmanly, it makes you a human who just needs some help.”

So to honor my friend and his beautiful family I am asking you- please get help if you need it. There is hope. You are worth it. I just wish he knew he was worth it. See you on the other side Bubba.

“We don’t really talk about suicide and that’s a problem; staying silent about suicide creates confusion, promotes stigma and isolates people when they need help the most.” The quote by Dr. Ali Mattu, Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia, gives a call to action as we enter Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a complex, multifactorial public health issue. It is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-34 in the state of Texas and according to the 2022 State of Mental Health Report by Mental Health America, 4.58% (~11million people) of adults in the US reported having serious thoughts of suicide. From the Public Health perspective suicide is preventable by equipping the public with training and education about suicide and learning how to promote protective factors, understanding risk factors, and recognizing warning signs of suicide.

Protective Factors are characteristics that make it less likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. These include community and family connections, support for seeking help, effective mental health care, and lack of access to lethal means (firearms, weapons, prescription drugs).

Risk Factors are characteristics that make it more likely that individuals will consider, attempt, or die by suicide. The presence of risk factors is not indicative of possible suicide or suicidal ideation but help to understand which individuals may need additional support. Examples of risk factors include prior suicide attempts, experienced trauma (bullying, abuse), have a family history of suicide, experienced loss, or disruptions in an individual’s support system.

Warning Signs are indicators that an individual may be suicidal. If they are giving away possessions, using language (written or verbal) such as “ I wish I was dead” or “ Everyone would be better off without me”, seeking access to lethal means, increasing substance use/abuse, or experiencing sudden mood swings (depression, anxiety, loss of interest, shame).

I encourage everyone to get informed and do our part during Suicide Prevention month and every month to help save a life. If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal ideation, please connect them to the following local or national resources:

• Suicide and Crisis Line: (988) a confidential text, dialing, and chat code for anyone experiencing a suicidal or mental health related crisis (feeling hopeless, overwhelmed by your thoughts, or that you may harm yourself)
• National Alliance on Mental Health Houston Warm Line: (713-970-448) a peer-run hotline that offers callers emotional support and is staffed by volunteers who are in recovery themselves.
• Mobile Crisis Outreach Team 24/7 Crisis Line: (713-970-7000) If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact The Harris Center Crisis Line. Crisis Line Specialists will determine if a MCOT referral can benefit you.

 

If you are interested in training opportunities and resources about Suicide Prevention, please visit our website at https://mhahouston.org/training/health-literacy.