South San Francisco, CA September 10, 2013

This week is Suicide Prevention Week, a time for awareness and education. On September 22 a Suicide Prevention Walk will take place at Lake Merced in San Francisco. We cannot keep quiet on this issue, we must bring light into the corners of this heartbreaking fact. We must all join in ‘Walking Out Of The Darkness’. Our community has felt the impact and we need to be aware of prevention  and how to deal with the losses we have been forced to suffer.  

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 38,000 American lives each year, more than DOUBLE the number of lives lost to homicide.

Those that are left behind do not always get the help they need due to the stigma that they feel still surrounds suicide. Many blame themselves.  The Mayo Clinic offers this information to those left to deal with the incredible loss:

Brace for powerful emotions

A loved one’s suicide can trigger intense emotions. For example:

• Shock. Disbelief and emotional numbness might set in. You might think that your loved one’s suicide couldn’t possibly be real.
• Anger. You might be angry with your loved one for abandoning you or leaving you with a legacy of grief — or angry with yourself or others for missing clues about suicidal intentions.
• Guilt. You might replay “what if” and “if only” scenarios in your mind, blaming yourself for your loved one’s death.
• Despair. You might be gripped by sadness, loneliness or helplessness. You might have a physical collapse or even consider suicide yourself.

You might continue to experience intense reactions during the weeks and months after your loved one’s suicide — including nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, social withdrawal and loss of interest in usual activities — especially if you witnessed or discovered the suicide.

Adopt healthy coping strategies

The aftermath of a loved one’s suicide can be physically and emotionally exhausting. As you work through your grief, be careful to protect your own well-being.

• Keep in touch. Reach out to loved ones, friends and spiritual leaders for comfort, understanding and healing. Surround yourself with people who are willing to listen when you need to talk, as well as those who’ll simply offer a shoulder to lean on when you’d rather be silent.
• Grieve in your own way. Do what’s right for you, not necessarily someone else. If you find it too painful to visit your loved one’s gravesite or share the details of your loved one’s death, wait until you’re ready.
• Be prepared for painful reminders. Anniversaries, holidays and other special occasions can be painful reminders of your loved one’s suicide. Don’t chide yourself for being sad or mournful. Instead, consider changing or suspending family traditions that are too painful to continue.
• Don’t rush yourself. Losing someone to suicide is a tremendous blow, and healing must occur at its own pace. Don’t be hurried by anyone else’s expectations that it’s been “long enough.”
• Expect setbacks. Some days will be better than others, even years after the suicide — and that’s OK. Healing doesn’t often happen in a straight line.
• Consider a support group for families affected by suicide. Sharing your story with others who are experiencing the same type of grief might help you find a sense of purpose or strength.

Prevention is key –Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide

 Warning Signs:

Kevin Caruso of Suicide.org offers these Suicide Warning Signs:

• Appearing depressed or sad most of the time.
  (Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide.)
• Talking or writing about death or suicide.
• Withdrawing from family and friends.
• Feeling hopeless.
• Feeling helpless.
• Feeling strong anger or rage.
• Feeling trapped — like there is no way out of a situation.
• Experiencing dramatic mood changes.
• Abusing drugs or alcohol.
• Exhibiting a change in personality.
• Acting impulsively.
• Losing interest in most activities.
• Experiencing a change in sleeping habits.
• Experiencing a change in eating habits.
• Losing interest in most activities.
• Performing poorly at work or in school.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Writing a will.
• Feeling excessive guilt or shame.
• Acting recklessly.

It should be noted that some people who die by suicide do not show any suicide warning signs.

But about 75 percent of those who die by suicide do exhibit some suicide warning signs, so we need to be aware of what the suicide warning signs are and try to spot them in people. If we do see someone exhibiting suicide warning signs, we need to do everything that we can to help them.

Prevention is key –Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide

Suicide in our military

Military suicides happen every 18 hours, some 350 per year. Some 8,000 veterans are thought to die by suicide each year, a toll of about 22 per day, according to a 2012 VA study.

You can help bring awareness by joining in with the Military Moms and support Jordi’s Angels on the September 22nd for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention walk and more information is available HERE .  A very moving letter is shared below from local Mimi Quirarte and her information  with the link to her donor drive page HERE 

Hey Everyone:

Erik ‘Jorgi’ Jorgensen

I would like to take a moment to ask you to help donate to a group I am walking with on Saturday September 22, 2013. I will be joining with thousands of people nationwide this fall to walk in AFSP’s San Francisco WalkOut of the Darkness Community Walk to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and all donations are 100% tax deductible.

I am personally doing this walk because I recently lost a close friend Erik Jorgensen who was in the Army and committed suicide. After singing at his funeral two weeks ago, I have decided that wasn’t enough. I want to do something bigger in his name that will help more people.
A few military mothers, including my own mom, joined this specific walk to raise money for the cause. If every friend donated $1 or more each I will be able to reach my goal! I have two weeks. The walk happens on Saturday; September 22, 2013.

I can’t walk well since my accident and I probably will be the last one across the line but, I am willing to do it in Erik’s name. Please help me reach my goal! I bet together we can reach $600 but I just want to do my part to get us to $5,000 as a team donation!

Thank you in Advance!

Mimi Quirarte

Prevention is key –Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) if you or someone you know is thinking about suicide