Since becoming a survivor of suicide, I feel like I can’t escape the news of more suicides happening around me. I don’t know if that’s really the case, or if it’s that my ears now perk up when I hear the term, but it makes me uncomfortable. I’m reminded of when I was on the brink of becoming engaged, getting married or having a baby and it also felt like everyone around me was going through those particular life stages except me. Every time I’d ...
Coping with Highly-Publicized Suicides
It’s been tough to escape the news of the unfortunate crash of Germanwings flight 9525 in the French Alps, which appears to have been caused by the co-pilot’s suicide. In addition to ending his own life, he killed 149 passengers onboard. As they commonly do, the media have spent days covering the ins and outs of the tragedy, including analysis of the mental state of a depressed or suicidal person. While I would prefer to change the channel, my ...
Is Dying with Dignity Suicide?
I recently moved and have spent the past couple days with my head buried in boxes. I took a few minutes this evening to see what was going on outside the confines of my home. It saddened me to see that, Brittany Maynard has ended her life. As I read through the People article, "Terminally Ill Woman Brittany Maynard Has Ended Her Own Life," I couldn't help but think about my dad and his choice to end his own life. I took some time to read ...
5 Myths about Suicide
Among the flood of commentary surrounding highly-publicized suicides, I always grimace at the naïve and ignorant statements made by those who haven’t been touched by mental illness or a loss of this nature. Reading or hearing things like, “what a selfish act,” are extremely hurtful and perpetuate the unfortunate stigma facing survivors. It also demonstrates a lack of understanding of the impact of mental illness on those who are struggling. It’s ...
Reflecting on the Death of Robin Williams to Suicide
Together, we’re facing another dreaded “morning after” today. In the wake of the untimely death of Robin Williams to suicide, we opened groggy eyes realizing that this nightmare actually happened, and that suicide happens. Days shy of the three-year anniversary of my dad’s own suicide, I am reminded of how I felt that next day. After a night of fitful (or no) sleep, I saw that our once charming grandfather clock was still set on the time I pulled ...