Suicide — talking about a tough subject

There is always a way out; there is always hope. That is the message shared by those in the mental health field who deal with suicide on a daily basis. It may be hard to believe when you’re in the throes of it, but if you take anything away from this editorial please know there is always an alternative to suicide.

And there is always time to talk about the issue, which is exactly what we’re doing in light of this week’s front page story on Kendra Butler Lacroix and the loss of her brother. Lacroix is an ardent supporter of the Out of the Darkness Walk Over the Hudson, which promotes suicide awareness and prevention.

Lacroix’s brother, Scott, took his life in 2012 at the age of 34. Since then, she and her family have been doing what they can to bring the issue to the fore. It’s a noble quest, and one that can help illuminate an important subject often kept hidden in the shadows.

Awareness is key, agree the experts. So is open communication. Talking about suicide doesn’t make one any more inclined to take one’s life, said Tina Yun Lee, director of public relations for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

“There’s a lack of awareness, and people need to know the warning signs,” she said. 

She’s right. Knowing how to recognize when one is struggling with his or her mental state is critical in preventing suicide. So, too, is being able to access the right care.

In Lacroix’s case, her brother fell through the cracks in obtaining care as he was too well off to qualify for Medicaid but not well off enough to pay out of pocket. The result was that he received limited care but not enough to pull him out of the deep depression that eventually cost him his life.

We need to fix issues of accessibility. Too many of the mentally ill go without proper treatment in this nation. Often, these patients need to be medicated, need to participate in psychotherapy and need to be routinely monitored. 

If insurance companies aren’t willing to pay for such costs, who will? Certainly the majority of the mentally ill can’t afford to shoulder the entire burden by themselves. In today’s health care climate it’s just too expensive. But if there’s no one willing to help pay for mental health care, how can the mentally ill ever get any better? Without adequate care, unfortunately, the results can be deadly. 

Each year more than 34,000 people take their own lives, according to NAMI. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the United States and the third leading cause of death among adolescents. 

Though not often discussed, suicide touches many, many households in this country. You may be surprised to learn how many people have had some experience with suicide or know of someone else who has. After a suicide the tragedy continues; friends and family are left to deal with the pain and loss. That, in and of itself, can lead to other mental health issues among the living.

There are many things we must  do if we are to eradicate the plague of suicide. For starters, we need to remove the stigma associated with those who are mentally ill. Just like any physical ailment, mental illness is a matter of biology. We acknowledge that genetics and other predispositions or chemical imbalances are out of our control. Why, then, are people penalized for having mental illness? Why are they largely ignored when the issue is raised in today’s society? Why do they face so many hurdles when trying to pay for expensive mental health care coverage and benefits? 

Something has to change — we need increased awareness, greater openness and less judgment.

If you suffer from a mental disorder, or if you know someone who does, please reach out for help. It is available. As Lee said, “Suicide is extremely preventable.”

For more information on the struggles of mental illness and on suicide prevention, Click here