foodconsumer.org: Suicide: A National Concern

Suicide: A National Concern
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admin on 09/11/2009 11:25:00
 
By Rachel Stockton rachels at foodconsumer dot org
"Janie" was a sophomore at a large high school in the Midwest.  Her parents made
an appointment with a local counselor to help treat what seemed to be severe
anger management problems in their daughter.  After several sessions, the
therapist proclaimed that Janie was "mildly depressed" and assured her parents
that no in-patient treatment was necessary.
Three months later, Janie's father walked in and found her lying in a pool of
blood, dead from a shotgun wound to the head.  He also found her car running in
the garage, and her wrists slashed - evidence that she had tried to end her life
through carbon monoxide poisoning and cutting her wrists, but for some reason,
was unable to succeed until she used the firearm.
In the ensuing months, Janie's parents, friends, and therapist tried desperately
to figure out what they'd missed when trying to help Janie. Janie's
acquaintances were no different than other victims left in the cruel wake of the
suicide of someone they love.
REMEMBERING THOSE WE LOST
Today marks the 35th anniversary of World Suicide Prevention Day, a time when
friends and families of suicide victims can remember their loved ones, and share
the unique, indescribable helplessness that manifests itself in those left
behind in such brutal fashion.
According to SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education), suicide is a
preventable tragedy; the problem is that many times loved ones are unable to
pick up on the kind of depression and/or chemical dependency issues that can
lead a person to end their lives.  After all, most people who are depressed
never attempt suicide.
"Janie was smart," says her mother.  "She knew how to present herself to the
therapist who was asking questions about her mental health.  She knew how to
respond so she wouldn't be hospitalized."
This isn't unusual, according to Sandra Tester, family therapist in Minnesota
who lost her own mother to suicide.  Often, family members must learn to read
between the lines when it comes to a depressed family member. It's also
beneficial to become familiar with some of the depressive illnesses that can
underlie suicide attempts:
*Seasonal Affective Disorder
*Major Depression
*Atypical Depression
*Dysthymia
*Cyclothemia
WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY
In tandem, knowledge and communication are key when it comes lowering the
suicide rate in the United States.  The State Department of Health is in
agreement with SAVE:  many times, suicide is preventable.  This week, many
educational forums will be available across the country to help those who have
been touched by suicide as well as to assist those who have suicidal thoughts
and don't know where to turn.   For more information, the national crisis
hotline is 800-273-8255