My heart breaks for the family & friends of Robin Williams. Suicide loss shatters lives & leaves a wake of sheer devastation to those left behind. At a time like this, many will ask why? Society is always looking for that ONE reason why a suicide occurs. As a survivor of a suicide loss & social worker w experience in suicide loss bereavement, I would like to share some knowledge to eradicate some misconceptions about suicide. Suicide does NOT occur bc of ONE reason. It occurs from an accumulation of stressors that overwhelms a persons ability to cope effectively....usually because there is an untreated or undiagnosed mental illness. 90% of suicides occur due to untreated or undiagnosed mental illness. Even when treated, mental illness can be fatal...as fatal as cancer that doesnt respond to chemotherapy. The stigma of mental illness causes many to not get the help they desperately need. Mental illnesses, such as depression, ARE medical illnesses, no different than cancer. As my friend, Niki Berelowitz Best, said...there is help, there is hope. 1-800-273-TALK or afsp.org
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 02:16:42 +0000