Tag: Spot

The deaths this week of fashion designer Kate Spade and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain—who died Friday by apparent suicide—have once again placed a spotlight on what a new study finds is a rising trend.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a report Thursday that found suicide rates increased by 25 percent across the United States between 1999 and 2016. Twenty-five states saw a rise in suicides by more than 30 percent, the CDC finds, and suicide was cited as the tenth leading cause of death in 2016.

The CDC report also found suicide rates among women have grown at an even higher rate than the overall rate, with significant increases among women in 43 states, and that more than half of individuals who die by suicide had not been diagnosed with a mental health condition.

While there’s no clear connection between Spade’s and Bourdain’s deaths, high-profile suicides could have a deleterious effect on people experiencing emotional or psychological hardships, potentially leading to a contagion effect. As CNN points out, when Robin Williams died by suicide in 2014, there was a 10 percent increase in suicides recorded in the four months that followed.

Melinda Paige, an assistant professor in clinical mental health counseling at Argosy University and expert on self-injury, trauma, and vicarious traumatization—told Glamour.com that medical professionals frequently assess if an at-risk individual knows someone who’s committed suicide, and many times, people feel a sense of closeness to celebrities in the news.

Paige explained that oftentimes an individual at risk for suicide may feel they have “exhausted every option for ending their pain” and look for a way out. While mental health issues like PTSD or depressive disorders are medically treatable, she points out that cultural stigmas around these conditions often keep people from speaking up or seeking help, which makes prioritizing conversations around mental health so critical.

“That’s what keeps people silent—it’s shame. [Major depressive disorders are] nothing to be ashamed of, but in our culture, someone who’s mentally ill, there’s something wrong, there’s shame,” she said.

Paige said that one sign that a friend or family member might be struggling is often social withdrawal. If you’ve noticed a loved one pulling back or isolating themselves, Paige encourages empathy and action—reach out to them and say, “I noticed there have been changes in you. Are you OK?” She also advises not to be hesitant about suggesting they seek professional counseling for a proper assessment.

“Please don’t say ‘I understand,’ because you don’t,” Paige says. Instead, she suggests using language like “I’m just so glad you told me,” and give that person permission to feel with you so they’re less alone. According to Paige, it’s also OK to ask, “Are you considering suicide?”

“We might think that could be triggering for that individual, but it’s important to acknowledge the suffering of others. In our society people don’t talk about their suffering and that’s what increases the isolation, the sense that ‘I’m not OK’ and ‘I’m the only one dealing with this.'”

Knowledge is also critical to helping those who may be in crisis. Paige says increasing awareness that mental health issues are medical conditions can move individuals away from embarrassment and toward receiving the help they need—and deserve.

Resources for individuals in crisis include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can be reached at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Crisis support in Spanish is available at 1-888-628-9454. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889.

To help someone else in crisis—including those who are posting on social media about wanting to die or kill themselves, feeling hopeless, trapped, like a burden to others, or seeking revenge—you can call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Members of the LGBTQ community can call the TrevorLifeline for suicide prevention counseling services at 1-866-488-7386.

Veterans can find support on the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 1-800-273-8255 and pressing 1. Help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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