Column: A Suicide is a Life Unfinished

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time we can open the lines of communication around a challenging topic, one that people often avoid. At Suicide Prevention Network (SPN), we believe that if people are willing to learn about risk factors and bring empathy to those who are suffering, there is hope. Together, we can provide help and reassurance that there is no need for anyone to feel alone or isolated in their thoughts and feelings.

One way to start is to bring awareness to the stigma that can often hinder people from seeking help. Language matters. When we say someone committed suicide, it can unintentionally imply malicious intent, akin to committing a crime or a sin. What we know is that suicide is most often a way for someone in the depths of hopelessness to end their pain. Often, it is the only way a suffering person sees as a way out.

In an article titled, “Suicide and language: Why we shouldn’t use the ‘C’ word,” collaborators Susan Beaton, Drs. Peter Forster and Myfanwy Maple state, “We now live in a time when we seek to understand people who experience suicidal ideation, behaviors, and attempts, and to treat them with compassion rather than condemn them. Part of this is to use appropriate, non-stigmatizing terminology when referring to suicide.”

Changing the way we speak about suicide is an important step to opening the conversation and encouraging people who are suffering to reach out for help. With these points in mind, it is deemed more appropriate to say someone died by suicide rather than committed suicide.

Suicide is a major public health concern. According to the CDC, Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. Among individuals between the ages of 10-34, suicide is the second leading cause of death.
Since 2002, SPN has continually worked to provide suicide prevention, intervention, education, and support services to all. We have worked in the middle and high schools in Lake Tahoe and on the west slope of El Dorado County. We offer training to help people understand and recognize the warning signs of suicidal ideation in themselves and others.

We also facilitate support groups that include those who are suicide loss survivors and those who experience PTSD in Minden, which encompasses levels of trauma that include the witnessing of, or direct experience with, violence, abuse, and natural disasters. SPN can also provide referrals to those seeking interventions and additional support and resources.

If you or someone you know are experiencing symptoms of depression the first important step is to visit your primary care provider.

Symptoms in adults include low mood, an inability to experience pleasure in previously enjoyable activities, preoccupied with—or ruminate over—thoughts and feelings of worthlessness, inappropriate guilt or regret, helplessness or hopelessness.

Symptoms in children include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusing to go to school, or being underweight.

Symptoms in teens include sadness, irritability, feeling negative and worthless, anger, poor performance or poor attendance at school, feeling misunderstood and extremely sensitive, using recreational drugs or alcohol, eating or sleeping too much, self-harm, loss of interest in normal activities, and avoidance

SPN is not a 24-hour crisis call center so if at any time, you or someone you care about needs immediate assistance after hours, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255, or the local South Lake Tahoe Psychiatric Emergency Service Hotline at 530.544.2219. You can also text CONNECT to 741741. In an emergency, dialing 9-1-1 is an option.

The goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide and to help those experiencing difficulties by providing appropriate resources and referrals. Together, we can make a difference.

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Debbie Posnien is the Executive Director of the Suicide Prevention Network, working to provide suicide prevention, intervention, education, and support services to all. Suicide Prevention Network has two locations: 3079 Harrison Ave #12 in South Lake Tahoe and 1625 SR-88, Suite 203 in Minden. They offer support services Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, visit SPNawareness.org or call 775 783.1510. If you or someone you care about needs immediate assistance after hours, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).