The problem of suicide persists
and it will continue rise - in the US
It's on my mind not because this issue has shaped me, personally--though it certainly has, but I care because it continues to affect communities, families, and truly, it's something no one should have to endure -
Within the past two weeks, two acquaintances/educators, now at different institutions, have lost students due to suicide.
These were students in high school.
One took their own life in a building on the grounds.
Earlier this month, a teacher died due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a school in Tennessee. Removed, thankfully, before students came in. Because that type of death requires some extensive clean-up.
People are not okay.
1 death every 11 minutes. 132 per day.
After COVID, with the rise in mental health issues and substance abuse, and rising numbers of suicides, Biden Administration spent 45.1 million to address trauma, unhoused populations, grief counseling, etc.
https://behavioralhealthnews.org/biden-harris.../
Trump recently cut 11.1 billion.
https://www.npr.org/.../addiction-trump-mental-health...
45.1 million versus 11.1 billion.
I’m not saying that money spent will automatically create lessening of the problem; however, with the Trump administration, we simply see budgets cut and “allow the states to do with it as they will.” Many states don’t/won’t.
Many conservatives say these should be community-run affairs, churches and other non-profits, that sounds lovely. But with the rising costs of mental health services, they simply cannot afford to do that systemic, structural change. (Even if they wanted to or cared to try.) They just can’t pony up that kind of dough.
We did see lessening numbers under the money spent from the Biden administration—anyone see the 988 suicide hotlines posted everywhere in public spaces? Signs? On city buses? Other ads circling over the internet? Their present was known - there is help available to the public and here’s how you access it.
That takes money to provide that marketing, the people to manage those crisis lines, their pay, the training, etc, etc.
We cut and don’t address the growing problem of mental health problems in this country and, so —
These suicides will just continues to happen -they will get worse.
But, many people won't raise an eyebrow until it personally affects them.
I'm thinking about how in America the Jan 6th insurrectionists who were imprisoned for their acts of domestic terrorism, now pardoned under the Trump administration, they are now campaigning for prison reform.
They only care now because it personally affected them.
Because they sat in jail and then were moved to take action on how our prisons are punitive and not rehabilitative. They are dehumanizing and not restorative to help people address the crimes that landed them there.
I grow more and more convinced that one of the ugliest parts of humanity is this -
“I only care when it affects me..."
Now - I don't wish suicide loss on anyone, but I to realize -
Some people will never personally care or engage until they feel that loss, of a parent, a child, a spouse.
Then they will be in this position - wondering why others don't want to think about, do anything to respond, and prevent such tragedies.
I think people are aware and do care because suicide is the number one cause of death in many age categories so it touches everyone.
I just think the problem is too overwhelming for people to process and our whole life, education, health care etc is geared up for production rather than wellbeing.
There’s not enough time to take this care deep enough to address the deep-seated societal issues.
I write about one major reason for this societal crisis in my monthly newsletter.
Last month I wrote about the mental illness model and how we need to move to a trauma-informed approach instead.
This month on 8th April I write about mothering.
Next month I write about parenting and the education system.
Sorry to plug my Substack posts but I do this unashamedly as through both my unenviable lived experience and professional experience I have deep insight. Not by choice but because I have experienced several suicides and dedicate my work to try to prevent more.
Thank you Danielle for caring deeply and writing about this too. Together we can come together as there’s several of us I’ve met on Substack already, to hopefully contribute towards a shift where there’s more awareness of the issues.