September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

[graciegirl]

When someone we know or know of dies suddenly or unexpectedly I think of suicide because it has happened to people that I know.

Access Denied (https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-09-19/why-we-need-to-talk-more-openly-about-suicide)

Suicide among doctors - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_among_doctors)

I was shocked and very surprised at the reaction of a few people when I broached the subject a few days ago.

One called me "sick". One called for removal of my post and that did happen. I believe that in this day and age, we all must be aware of severe depression around us. I am still trying to understand the reaction to my post.

Above all, I want you to know that I meant in no way to be insensitive or callous. None of us is immune to overwhelming sadness and hopelessness at times.

[Taltarzac725]

Thanks for posting that, graciegirl.

I had a brother-in-law who committed suicide in 2014 but he refused to believe anything was wrong with him when my brother and sister-in-law tried to get him help. He never said anything that could have triggered involuntary commitment because he was very smart.

More education about mental illness and access to practical information is quite important. And stuff to combat bullying of all kinds.

Psychiatry is still quite young as a science and there are many areas where it is more an art form.

When someone we know or know of dies suddenly or unexpectedly I think of suicide because it has happened to people that I know.

Access Denied (https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-09-19/why-we-need-to-talk-more-openly-about-suicide)

I was shocked and very surprised at the reaction of a few people when I broached the subject a few days ago.

One called me "sick". One called for removal of my post and that did happen. I believe that in this day and age, we all must be aware of severe depression around us. I am still trying to understand the reaction to my post.

Above all, I want you to know that I meant in no way to be insensitive or callous. None of us is immune to overwhelming sadness and hopelessness at times.

[fdpaq0580]

When someone we know or know of dies suddenly or unexpectedly I think of suicide because it has happened to people that I know.

Access Denied (https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-09-19/why-we-need-to-talk-more-openly-about-suicide)

Suicide among doctors - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_among_doctors)

I was shocked and very surprised at the reaction of a few people when I broached the subject a few days ago.

One called me "sick". One called for removal of my post and that did happen. I believe that in this day and age, we all must be aware of severe depression around us. I am still trying to understand the reaction to my post.

Above all, I want you to know that I meant in no way to be insensitive or callous. None of us is immune to overwhelming sadness and hopelessness at times.

Not an easy subject to talk about some times. Like many folks here, my family has had a suicide. I was very small at the time and never learned the reason for it.
There can be many reasons one may wish to take their life, many reasons like depression,sadness, etc. Those are things that we can, with time and help get over. Think Romeo and Juliet. Death that should never havhappened, even if it was fictional.
But, depending on one's beliefs, there may be reasons that to the individual make sense. Think a person told they have only a very short time to live being informed that if they move to a "hospital" setting their life could be extended for a short time longer but their quality of life will be miserable as they become a test/practice subject that will bankrupt the family. In this scenario some may choose to end their life before they can no longer make that choice for themselves.
I believe in death with dignity and the right to choose time, place and method of my departure. The ideas or thoughts end of life are as private and personal as one's relation with their God or Gods.

[CFrance]

But I don't think it's a good idea, when somebody asks how someone died, to propose it was suicide when there is absolutely no evidence. That's how rumors are started. Imagine if that got back to the family and it wasn't the cause at all.

[graciegirl]

But I don't think it's a good idea, when somebody asks how someone died, to propose it was suicide when there is absolutely no evidence. That's how rumors are started. Imagine if that got back to the family and it wasn't the cause at all.

You are right. I was wrong.

I was not thinking of that at all. I was at fault. I do not know him and had never heard of him. I was wrong.

I know that 20% of people in the U.S. are challenged by some form of mental illness, even if it is mild. We have got to make the subject of mental illness, depression and suicide more talkable.

[manaboutown]

GG, I truly cannot understand how or why you got a bee in your bonnet concerning suicides among physicians. Frankly, I found your remark in another thread concerning the untimely death of a loved local physician shockingly callous. Why are you in a snit and verbally jumping up and down about suicides among physicians?

It seems to me that closer to home for you might be the suicide rate among primary school teachers, especially those who teach kindergarten and first grade. The following is from the UK. I do not know the statistics for American primary school teachers.

"Three in four suicides among teaching professionals are primary and nursery school teachers, statistics show, amid warnings it is 'one of the most highly stressed occupations in the country.

The suicide rate among primary school teachers in England is nearly two times higher than the national average, figures have revealed.

Risk of suicide among primary and nursery school teachers was 42 per cent higher than patterns in the broader population of England during the period 2011 to 2015, according to data released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)."

From: Primary school teachers''' suicide rate nearly double national average, figures reveal | The Independent | The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/primary-school-teachers-suicide-rate-double-national-average-uk-figures-a7635846.html)

This was a surprise to me.

[graciegirl]

GG, I truly cannot understand how or why you got a bee in your bonnet concerning suicides among physicians. Frankly, I found your remark in another thread concerning the untimely death of a loved local physician shockingly callous. Why are you in a snit and verbally jumping up and down about suicides among physicians?

It seems to me that closer to home for you might be the suicide rate among primary school teachers, especially those who teach kindergarten and first grade. The following is from the UK. I do not know the statistics for American primary school teachers.

"Three in four suicides among teaching professionals are primary and nursery school teachers, statistics show, amid warnings it is 'one of the most highly stressed occupations in the country.

The suicide rate among primary school teachers in England is nearly two times higher than the national average, figures have revealed.

Risk of suicide among primary and nursery school teachers was 42 per cent higher than patterns in the broader population of England during the period 2011 to 2015, according to data released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)."

From: Primary school teachers''' suicide rate nearly double national average, figures reveal | The Independent | The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/primary-school-teachers-suicide-rate-double-national-average-uk-figures-a7635846.html)

This was a surprise to me.

Someone asked about a Cardiologist who died suddenly at the age of 49.

Someone else said they saw him on the day he died.

I wondered if he committed suicide.

I didn't think that anyone would think it was callous. I was very wrong. They did. You did.

When I read of someone who is famous who dies suddenly, the first thing I think of is that person may have died from an overdose. That is how I think.

I did think sad thoughts. Of course the family is grieving his loss, no matter why he died. I don't have a "bee in my bonnet " about physicians dying of suicide. I was completely surprised to find that they do die from suicide at twice the rate as the general public.

I have dear friends who have lost family members through suicide. I am very aware of depression and I am very involved in a large group that are parents of special needs children. We are always aware of that possibility. They are facing a lifelong challenge that cannot not be altered, and sometimes depression sets in. We are always sensitive to their needs and those close will visit them and try to get them to talk and to know they are not alone. I do think of suicide, maybe more than most people. We all have crushing times in our lives, times when we face awful, unbearable emotional pain.

[Aces4]

Not an easy subject to talk about some times. Like many folks here, my family has had a suicide. I was very small at the time and never learned the reason for it.
There can be many reasons one may wish to take their life, many reasons like depression,sadness, etc. Those are things that we can, with time and help get over. Think Romeo and Juliet. Death that should never havhappened, even if it was fictional.
But, depending on one's beliefs, there may be reasons that to the individual make sense. Think a person told they have only a very short time to live being informed that if they move to a "hospital" setting their life could be extended for a short time longer but their quality of life will be miserable as they become a test/practice subject that will bankrupt the family. In this scenario some may choose to end their life before they can no longer make that choice for themselves.
I believe in death with dignity and the right to choose time, place and method of my departure. The ideas or thoughts end of life are as private and personal as one's relation with their God or Gods.

Euthanasia is far different than suicide. Until you’ve witnessed the family devastation from suicide you haven’t seen hell on earth.

[Aces4]

GG, I truly cannot understand how or why you got a bee in your bonnet concerning suicides among physicians. Frankly, I found your remark in another thread concerning the untimely death of a loved local physician shockingly callous. Why are you in a snit and verbally jumping up and down about suicides among physicians?

It seems to me that closer to home for you might be the suicide rate among primary school teachers, especially those who teach kindergarten and first grade. The following is from the UK. I do not know the statistics for American primary school teachers.

"Three in four suicides among teaching professionals are primary and nursery school teachers, statistics show, amid warnings it is 'one of the most highly stressed occupations in the country.

The suicide rate among primary school teachers in England is nearly two times higher than the national average, figures have revealed.

Risk of suicide among primary and nursery school teachers was 42 per cent higher than patterns in the broader population of England during the period 2011 to 2015, according to data released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)."

From: Primary school teachers''' suicide rate nearly double national average, figures reveal | The Independent | The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/primary-school-teachers-suicide-rate-double-national-average-uk-figures-a7635846.html)

This was a surprise to me.


I watched people fidget and cluck when suicide is mentioned because they don’t want the light to shine on that subject too brightly. It touchy and prickly and it happens. Families dealing with suicide shouldn’t be ignored and have their feelings pushed under the rug. It’s not a sin to mention and acknowledge it happens.

[GrumpyOldMan]

There are roughly 50,000 suicides every year, and while it is a very hard for the people left behind, I do personally feel it is closely relates to doctor assisted death.

If we can't talk about it, things won't change - people who need help won't get it.

I saw that same post when it came through and my first thought was also that it might have been suicide, but I didn't know the person, so I had nothing to contribute.

We have an obsession in this country that self "inflicted" death is wrong, and death in general should be fought off as long as possible, no matter what. This is slowly being eroded by the movement of many people searching for death with dignity. Doctors are learning that what used to be taught, that death is the enemy and should never be accepted, are now learning the lying to the patient (yes, they lie to patients that are dying) and telling them there is hope when there is none, is NOT right. Patients have a right to KNOW that they are dying, and to receive help they may need to deal with it.

There are certainly transitive conditions that can lead a person to consider dying, such as situational depression. And those can be helped.

In general considering death is considered a mental illness.

That is really sad, since we are all going to experience death at some point (most of us here are over half way there). Not being able to discuss death in a mature conversation with friends, family, doctors or counselors leaves many (most) people with only themselves to evaluate their options alone - afraid to say anything because of the potential of involuntary commitment. I personally believe this leads to many unnecessary suicides - people feel there is no one they can trust to talk to.

The VA healthcare system takes counseling very seriously and makes it readily available to everyone without questions or judgement. I have not had to use the services myself but it gives me peace of mind to know they are there if or when I might need them.

I certainly understand that comments about suicide can seem to be insensitive or callous to some, especially those that have recently lost someone to suicide. But we really need to get over the stigma that has been traditionally associated it and learn to openly discuss the topic.

Much like the stigma around mental health is just now becoming recognized as an illness and not a moral stigma, we need to be open and encourage people considering end of life to discuss it with whomever they feel comfortable. This is NOT a moral issue, it does not make one a bad person to think about it. It is something every one of us is going to face eventually. Some will have more time to make plans than others.

50,000 suicides per year.

And as someone above said, there are, to me, reasonable situations where I would prefer doctor assisted death over the alternative of long term pain/agony or TBI or any number of life altering conditions that I would find unacceptable at this point in MY life. And I want to be able to opening discuss this with my PCP (which I do and have) and wish that everyone had that option.

If there is anyone reading this that would like to discuss suicide and don't feel it is something they can discuss with family, friends or doctors, please contact me - a complete stranger, might be easier to talk with.

[GrumpyOldMan]

I watched people fidget and cluck when suicide is mentioned because they don’t want the light to shine on that subject too brightly. It touchy and prickly and it happens. Families dealing with suicide shouldn’t be ignored and have their feelings pushed under the rug. It’s not a sin to mention and acknowledge it happens.

Sadly, for some it IS a sin to commit suicide. That belief, in my opinion, leads to many suicides every year - a person raised there entire life believing that suicide is evil and a sin, begins thinking about it for whatever reason, and feels they can't talk to anyone, because it would be admitting they are sinners. Sigh...

[Kgcetm]

Some Villagers have become so dependent upon the Village Sun for up-to-date news of happenings in the Villages that they become a little squeamish when the realities of life seep into their little piece of heaven. We have our share of depression and our share of untimely death. Your post should not have been censored.

[ithos]

I had a friend die who I had not talked to in a couple of years. The cause of death was kept out of the newspapers and available government records. There are laws that prevent disclosure in some areas.

Some believe that protecting the reputation of the deceased is more important than other considerations.

I don't have an opinion other than the family's preferences should be respected indefinitely.

I am interested in what others think.

[xcaligirl]

When someone we know or know of dies suddenly or unexpectedly I think of suicide because it has happened to people that I know.

Access Denied (https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-09-19/why-we-need-to-talk-more-openly-about-suicide)

Suicide among doctors - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_among_doctors)

I was shocked and very surprised at the reaction of a few people when I broached the subject a few days ago.

One called me "sick". One called for removal of my post and that did happen. I believe that in this day and age, we all must be aware of severe depression around us. I am still trying to understand the reaction to my post.

Above all, I want you to know that I meant in no way to be insensitive or callous. None of us is immune to overwhelming sadness and hopelessness at times.
Obviously the ones who complained and thought you are insensitive, do not know you at all! I only know you from TOTV however I will never forget that you were the kindest person to me when I first joined and I've never forgotten that. I didn't see your post regarding suicide however I know a few people who have committed suicide and I always wonder 'what signs did I miss?'. And I always say, be careful of people who are the 'class clown' as it's normally he/she who is depressed and suicidal (Robin Will;iams). Whenever I see you post anything or respond to a post, I always read it. You are always positive and have great posts and feed back. Wish they were more people like you but we're very lucky to have you, the Gracie Girl!!

[allsport]

When someone we know or know of dies suddenly or unexpectedly I think of suicide because it has happened to people that I know.

Access Denied (https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-09-19/why-we-need-to-talk-more-openly-about-suicide)

Suicide among doctors - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_among_doctors)

I was shocked and very surprised at the reaction of a few people when I broached the subject a few days ago.

One called me "sick". One called for removal of my post and that did happen. I believe that in this day and age, we all must be aware of severe depression around us. I am still trying to understand the reaction to my post.

Above all, I want you to know that I meant in no way to be insensitive or callous. None of us is immune to overwhelming sadness and hopelessness at times.


I agree, depression is an illness much like cancer. We must not shove it under the rug and pretend it did not happen. Do we do that with lung cancer? No The reactions you got were awful in that the it made it look like suicide is a shameful thing. It is not, it is the result of untreated depression that overtakes the mind of the victim. Old time prejudices popped out from everywhere.

[Aces4]

Sadly, for some it IS a sin to commit suicide. That belief, in my opinion, leads to many suicides every year - a person raised there entire life believing that suicide is evil and a sin, begins thinking about it for whatever reason, and feels they can't talk to anyone, because it would be admitting they are sinners. Sigh...

That may be part of the problem but I also know people who have been treated for depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health diagnosis’s often suffer from the social stigma of those diseases. It’s sad to say they would probably be treated better in most instances if they had a physical, life threatening disease.

[Taltarzac725]

About NAMI | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness (https://nami.org/About-NAMI)

I have communicated in various ways with some of the NAMI groups over the past few decades.

[GrumpyOldMan]

That may be part of the problem but I also know people who have been treated for depression, bipolar disorder and other mental health diagnosis’s often suffer from the social stigma of those diseases. It’s sad to say they would probably be treated better in most instances if they had a physical, life threatening disease.

Absolutely. It was not that long ago that people did not talk about mental illness in the family. That was something to be kept quiet about.


!

[Quixote]

When someone we know or know of dies suddenly or unexpectedly I think of suicide because it has happened to people that I know.

Access Denied (https://health.usnews.com/wellness/for-parents/articles/2017-09-19/why-we-need-to-talk-more-openly-about-suicide)

Suicide among doctors - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide_among_doctors)

I was shocked and very surprised at the reaction of a few people when I broached the subject a few days ago.

One called me "sick". One called for removal of my post and that did happen. I believe that in this day and age, we all must be aware of severe depression around us. I am still trying to understand the reaction to my post.

Above all, I want you to know that I meant in no way to be insensitive or callous. None of us is immune to overwhelming sadness and hopelessness at times.

The subjects of suicide prevention and suicide itself are real, vital, and important and should be able to be discussed openly. It is unfortunate that there are people whose personal issues are such that they are simply unable to discuss death in any form. OP, you should not let the issues of others control you on something as important as this.

Discussing suicide prevention and death and dying as a subject is important, as it takes an issue we all ultimately deal with out of the ‘do not talk about’ closet. This is what Swiss-born psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross did in the late 1960s when she observed the discomfort her American fellow physicians felt, seeing a death as a failure on their part to be hidden rather than accepting dying and death as an integral part of ALL our lives. She got permission to interview dying patients and discovered—no surprise—how much they welcomed the chance to talk about their own feelings and fears. From this experience came her uniquely written (a story in itself…) first book, On Death and Dying—well worth the read.

However, discussing this as an important subject is not the same as publicly speculating about suicide of a complete stranger, which is just plain inappropriate. OP, in your later responses in this thread, you made it clear that with the input of others (some of which from your description sound off the wall…), you recognize, as you put it, that you were ‘wrong.’ So you’ve learned something—as we all have the opportunity to do—and it’s time to move on.

[tvbound]

The subjects of suicide prevention and suicide itself are real, vital, and important and should be able to be discussed openly. It is unfortunate that there are people whose personal issues are such that they are simply unable to discuss death in any form. OP, you should not let the issues of others control you on something as important as this.

Discussing suicide prevention and death and dying as a subject is important, as it takes an issue we all ultimately deal with out of the ‘do not talk about’ closet. This is what Swiss-born psychiatrist Elisabeth Kubler-Ross did in the late 1960s when she observed the discomfort her American fellow physicians felt, seeing a death as a failure on their part to be hidden rather than accepting dying and death as an integral part of ALL our lives. She got permission to interview dying patients and discovered—no surprise—how much they welcomed the chance to talk about their own feelings and fears. From this experience came her uniquely written (a story in itself…) first book, On Death and Dying—well worth the read.

However, discussing this as an important subject is not the same as publicly speculating about suicide of a complete stranger, which is just plain inappropriate. OP, in your later responses in this thread, you made it clear that with the input of others (some of which from your description sound off the wall…), you recognize, as you put it, that you were ‘wrong.’ So you’ve learned something—as we all have the opportunity to do—and it’s time to move on.

You perfectly nailed it, ALL of it - EXCELLENT post!

[Aces4]

However, discussing this as an important subject is not the same as publicly speculating about suicide of a complete stranger, which is just plain inappropriate. OP, in your later responses in this thread, you made it clear that with the input of others (some of which from your description sound off the wall…), you recognize, as you put it, that you were ‘wrong.’ So you’ve learned something—as we all have the opportunity to do—and it’s time to move on.


How hypocritical, the theme of the thread was the cause of death and speculations of heart attack, covid, AAA, etc. were allowed but that shameful word “suicide” is not to be mentioned. Such dark ages thinking for an insidious disease.

[GrumpyOldMan]

How hypocritical, the theme of the thread was the cause of death and speculations of heart attack, covid, AAA, etc. were allowed but that shameful word “suicide” is not to be mentioned. Such dark ages thinking for an insidious disease.

I agree, I would hope family members would appreciate a compassionate discussion, but, there will always be someone that doesn't. So, do we just never publicly talk about it? I think we have to change.

[DAVES]

GG, I truly cannot understand how or why you got a bee in your bonnet concerning suicides among physicians. Frankly, I found your remark in another thread concerning the untimely death of a loved local physician shockingly callous. Why are you in a snit and verbally jumping up and down about suicides among physicians?

It seems to me that closer to home for you might be the suicide rate among primary school teachers, especially those who teach kindergarten and first grade. The following is from the UK. I do not know the statistics for American primary school teachers.

"Three in four suicides among teaching professionals are primary and nursery school teachers, statistics show, amid warnings it is 'one of the most highly stressed occupations in the country.

The suicide rate among primary school teachers in England is nearly two times higher than the national average, figures have revealed.

Risk of suicide among primary and nursery school teachers was 42 per cent higher than patterns in the broader population of England during the period 2011 to 2015, according to data released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS)."

From: Primary school teachers''' suicide rate nearly double national average, figures reveal | The Independent | The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/primary-school-teachers-suicide-rate-double-national-average-uk-figures-a7635846.html)

This was a surprise to me.

As far as physicians imagine a profession where every one you deal with is sick. Most patients you can venture a guess as to when they will die and what will kill them.

UK and teachers. We often reach to support our narrative. As far as teachers, sadly there are too few great ones. Too many do not belong in the profession and are hanging in to collect the great benefits package.

Suicide. Why is it such a difficult subject. My view is because religion says you are damned if you take your life. Interesting conflicts the first amendment to the constitution outlaws a state (national) religion. If, I recall it is the 13th that outlaws slavery. There is no shortage of legal conflicts but if you eliminate a state religion and you are not a slave to the state, your life is your life, you have the right to end it.

Euthanasia-what we put HUMANS through, if they were a dog you would go to jail for what we do as normal practice.

[GrumpyOldMan]

Euthanasia-what we put HUMANS through, if they were a dog you would go to jail for what we do as normal practice.

So, very true.

And the really sad thing is when someone has not made sure their wishes are known ahead of time and a family member steps in making decisions the patient would not have wanted.

I am an atheist but grew up a Southern Baptist, and it always seemed so strange to me that they (Southern Baptists) fight so hard to not die, while all the time claiming to be looking forward to an eternity in perfect heaven. Seems to me, I would want to move on and get into my new internal digs. But, if that makes them happy, that is fine with me. They can fight to live in agony all they want to, I just don't want them interfering with my decisions to end my life when I want to end it.

[Quixote]

I completely agree, as I said in my earlier post—as an important subject in itself, not as speculation about a complete stranger—and especially when there is no hint of it in the news report/obituary. Otherwise it can come off sounding like gossip (which appears NOT to have be the intention of the OP).

[KyWoman]

There are roughly 50,000 suicides every year, and while it is a very hard for the people left behind, I do personally feel it is closely relates to doctor assisted death.

If we can't talk about it, things won't change - people who need help won't get it.

I saw that same post when it came through and my first thought was also that it might have been suicide, but I didn't know the person, so I had nothing to contribute.

We have an obsession in this country that self "inflicted" death is wrong, and death in general should be fought off as long as possible, no matter what. This is slowly being eroded by the movement of many people searching for death with dignity. Doctors are learning that what used to be taught, that death is the enemy and should never be accepted, are now learning the lying to the patient (yes, they lie to patients that are dying) and telling them there is hope when there is none, is NOT right. Patients have a right to KNOW that they are dying, and to receive help they may need to deal with it.

There are certainly transitive conditions that can lead a person to consider dying, such as situational depression. And those can be helped.

In general considering death is considered a mental illness.

That is really sad, since we are all going to experience death at some point (most of us here are over half way there). Not being able to discuss death in a mature conversation with friends, family, doctors or counselors leaves many (most) people with only themselves to evaluate their options alone - afraid to say anything because of the potential of involuntary commitment. I personally believe this leads to many unnecessary suicides - people feel there is no one they can trust to talk to.

The VA healthcare system takes counseling very seriously and makes it readily available to everyone without questions or judgement. I have not had to use the services myself but it gives me peace of mind to know they are there if or when I might need them.

I certainly understand that comments about suicide can seem to be insensitive or callous to some, especially those that have recently lost someone to suicide. But we really need to get over the stigma that has been traditionally associated it and learn to openly discuss the topic.

Much like the stigma around mental health is just now becoming recognized as an illness and not a moral stigma, we need to be open and encourage people considering end of life to discuss it with whomever they feel comfortable. This is NOT a moral issue, it does not make one a bad person to think about it. It is something every one of us is going to face eventually. Some will have more time to make plans than others.

50,000 suicides per year.

And as someone above said, there are, to me, reasonable situations where I would prefer doctor assisted death over the alternative of long term pain/agony or TBI or any number of life altering conditions that I would find unacceptable at this point in MY life. And I want to be able to opening discuss this with my PCP (which I do and have) and wish that everyone had that option.

If there is anyone reading this that would like to discuss suicide and don't feel it is something they can discuss with family, friends or doctors, please contact me - a complete stranger, might be easier to talk with.

Thank you so much for this post. I lost a dear family member to suicide 6 years ago, and I am so grateful for friends who speak of him and comfort me and my Husband. But, there is a huge stigma concerning suicide and it can be very hurtful to the loved ones left to mourn.