Carcifero: Year-round concern

Suicide prevention an issue that needs constant vigilance

Most of us will never know what it feels like to want to “delete” ourselves from this world. This week, Kevin Hines, a national mental health advocate, visited Woonsocket to share exactly what that feeling was like for him. Kevin shared his history of his world prior to and after his diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Many individuals live with this disease each day. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, 43.4 million adults live with a mental illness in the United States today. Many seek treatment and seek support, but some live in silence.

For Kevin, the pain and suffering was so insurmountable at one point in his life that he wished to “delete” himself from this world through suicide. His suicide plan would lead him to his attempt to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Kevin’s story of wanting to end his life may not be so unique, but his plan was. Kevin survived his suicide attempt and has made it his life’s mission to share his story of resilience and hope. (See Joseph Nadeau’s article in The Call on Nov. 20, 2017)

However, at this time of year, as most are planning for holiday cheer, celebrations, gifts and sharing with family and friends, some may not share in these feelings. Some, who live with mental illness and the thoughts of suicide, do not live what Currier and Ives portray in their picturesque scenes as joyful, merry, festive, cozy and warm. These individuals may be feeling sad, alone and hopeless.

Mental illnesses are common in the United States. According to the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 18 percent of U.S adults have a mental illness, which is defined by a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder (excluding developmental and substance abuse disorders) of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified in the DSM-V. Mental illness can range in impact from mild impairment to significantly disabling, such as those individuals with serious mental illness, which includes those with serious functional impairment.

Suicide is a serious public health issue that has effects on individuals, families and communities. For those individuals with a mental illness, the risk for suicide is greater. Although the causes are often determined by multiple factors and can be quite complex, prevention is rather direct…reduce the risk factors and enhance protective factors that promote resilience. Prevention addresses all levels of influence: individual, familial/relationship, community and societal. Effective prevention strategies promote increased awareness of suicide at all of these levels.

During the holiday season, although most might think that the rate of suicide increases, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the suicide rate is lowest in December. However, there is often a spike in the spring. Although there is no single cause of suicide, there are some clear factors that increase a person’s risk for attempting or dying by suicide. Some of these risk factors are: previous suicide attempts; history of depression or mental illness; alco- hol or drug abuse; family history of suicide or violence; physical illness; feeling alone. Keep in mind that most individuals that have these risk factors do not attempt suicide, as suicide is not a normal response to stress.

Keep in mind, if someone is having suicidal thoughts or actions, they are in extreme distress and it should not be treated as harmless and should not be ignored. Signs and symptoms of this distress can include, but are not limited to, talking about: wanting to die or end their life; feeling empty, hopeless or having no reason to live; having a plan for suicide; guilt or shame about something; feeling trapped or having no solutions; being a burden to others. Additionally, someone contemplating suicide may also be talking about death often; giving away important possessions; saying goodbye to family and friends; putting affairs in order and making a will; withdrawing from family and friends.

If someone you know is in emotional pain, ask them how they are doing and be as direct as possible if you suspect a suicide plan; help to keep them safe, i.e. remove access to lethal weapons; be there for support; help them to connect to someone, whether it may be a therapist, suicide prevention lifeline (1800-273-TALK ((8255)) or the Samaritans 272-4044), or a hospital; and stay in touch with them throughout if at all possible.

In closing, I will end where I began this column with Kevin Hines and his presentation to the Woonsocket community…for those that are living with “brain pain,” there is hope

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