Suicidal teens need services

When I think of the lack of mental health services in our communities it seems we like to be reactive in our country – we keep the services that would help avoid teens becoming suicidal at bay, while paying for hospitalizations after the fact. A new survey confirms my general understanding of a reactive system more than a proactive system. However, the bigger picture it painted is rather scary. According to the article, suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death among teens. Yet, this research found that only 13% of suicidal teens received mental health care in the year … Continue reading →

Signs of Depression and Suicide

Depression, as a mental health illness, is one of those things that is hard to explain if you have never experienced it or see it in someone close to you. It’s more than just feeling down. It’s more than just a series of bad days. Anytime that depression begins to affect your ability to do the thing you normally do, then there is a chance it may be more than just being sad. Depression is a disease that affects millions of people, men and women, old and young, across all ethnic and cultural boundaries. And, chances are, it is affecting … Continue reading →

Taboo Subjects: Pornography and Suicide

Over the last couple of years I have introduced two new subjects into the Mental Health blogs. One is the phenomenon of suicide, an increasing problem in the Western world, particularly among young males. Even children are not immune. The other topic is teenagers and pornography. I know I’ve hit a nerve when I start to get less than polite responses to these topics. I have to wonder why these issues are so upsetting to some members of the public that they feel the need to deal with it by denigrating what I write. Perhaps I have the benefit, as … Continue reading →

Why the Taboo about Suicide?

A recent suicide by one of the neighbors in my street has resulted in some typical behaviors by people when they find out that someone has taken their life. I have spoken previously about the anger many people feel towards the person who has committed suicide, as well as the common consensus that the person is selfish for committing such an act. For the full list of articles on suicide and its ramifications, see the link at the end of this article. The stigma of suicide goes back a long way, which probably explains why no-one likes to talk about … Continue reading →

Another Suicide, Another Pain-filled Life Ended

Yesterday I was woken by a flurry of activity at dawn in our normally quiet street. Police cars, ambulances, forensics teams and finally, the giveaway, the funeral directors van said it all. Another suicide. Sadly, the person involved had not long lived in the neighborhood and resided in one of the few sets of units which are beginning to dot the area. Because of the isolation of the unit, she did not mix with others and so no-one knew here. Plus the now almost redundant practice of welcoming a newcomer into the neighborhood with a cake, a card or drinks … Continue reading →

Suicide: The Inability of Family to See Past they Own Agenda

I once lived next door to a man who committed suicide. He was a lovely guy, with a wife and young child. But he was desperately ill and he was not getting the help he needed. In fact the local newsagent shop owner was more interested in him than his own family, and his wife left him on two occasions in an attempt to get him to “snap out of it”. The latter is always a pointless exercise to use on depressed people. He moved a few streets away from us but we still saw each other at the local … Continue reading →

Reassuring a Suicidal Person

In our continuing series on suicide, we look today at how to give reassurance, information, and hope to a person at risk of suicide. Suicide claims the lives of tens of thousands of Americans each year, and victims are of both genders, and come from a multitude of backgrounds. Certainly success and money are no insurance against the depression and anxiety that predates suicidal thoughts and actions. Once the crisis point has passed, (see links below for how to help a suicidal person), it is important to provide ongoing support for your friend or family member who has expressed suicidal … Continue reading →

Suicide: Why Do the Neighbors Talk but do Nothing?

This weekend I happened across a woman who needs help. She had a For Sale sign out front of her block of units and I stopped to ask her which one was for sale. She told me but it became obvious that she was distracted, depressed and anxious. So I stayed and talked about her garden a little, as she had been working in it when I approached her. As we talked I could tell she was not well emotionally and finally she made a comment that she had lost her daughter. The tears welled up but she didn’t want … Continue reading →

Reassuring a Suicidal Person

Talking to a Suicidal Person

Dealing with a person who is having suicidal thoughts is thankfully not something we have to deal with every day. Consequently few of us are prepared should such a situation arise. In How to Help a Suicidal Person (1) and (2), we looked at ways to address the immediate situation of dealing with an at-risk person. Today we look at further themes in helping a distressed person. Listen non-judgmentally In dealing with a potentially suicidal person, respect is paramount. To reach a point of thinking about ending one’s own life, the person has lost respect for themselves, so they most … Continue reading →