One in four U.S. adults will have a mental illness this year—25 percent of our population, making this illness more common than most diseases we talk about. The good news is that there are many effective treatments, for those who seek care…but not everyone does due to stigma.
A life was lost today, it is speculated that this individual took their own life due to a struggle with depression. While lives are lost daily because of this, depression and mental illness get a lot of media attention when it involves a celebrity. Celebrity or not, it greatly saddens me when a life is lost, especially when it may be due to depression. It hurts my heart to think that someone suffers so much that they feel their only option to escape the pain is for their life to end.
The following signs taken from the National Suicide Hotline website may mean someone is at risk for suicide:
- Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves.
- Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online or buying a gun
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live.
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain.
- Talking about being a burden to others.
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs.
- Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly.
- Sleeping too little or too much.
- Withdrawing or isolating themselves.
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge.
- Displaying extreme mood swings.
The risk of suicide is greater if a behavior is new or has increased and if it seems related to a painful event, loss, or change. If you or someone you know exhibits any of these signs, seek help as soon as possible by calling the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Do not suffer in silence. Reach out and get help.
You can also take the pledge to “Stamp Out Stigma”. You can find more information here.