Don’t Let Isolation Become Deadly

By Macy Houghtlin, Intern

If you’re anything like me, you’re more than ready to be done with these “unprecedented times.” Ready to return to life as we knew it: to freely spend time with family and friends, to go back to work in an office, to find relief from the constant worry of contracting or spreading the dreaded virus. The last year and a half has undoubtedly brought many challenges to all of us, including difficulty in connecting with loved ones as much as we’d like.

A potential consequence of this lack of connection, increased anxiety and depression, fear of the future, and complicated grief is an increasing rate of suicide. This “S word” that many of us don’t like to mention is something that we should all get more comfortable talking about.

Here are some true statistics according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (2021):

• The state of Georgia has the 7^th highest suicide rate in the nation.
• Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the US
• In 2019, over 47,000 Americans died by suicide
• In 2019, there were over 1.3 million suicide attempts in America

And yet the results of the Harris Poll (conducted in 2019) showed that 93% of U.S. adults think that suicide can be prevented. So what can we do?

In his book, Depression, Anxiety, and Other Things We Don’t Want to Talk About, Ryan Casey Waller gives some practical steps to help prevent suicide in our loved ones:

Pay Attention.

Keep your eyes and ears open. Some common signs of suicidal thoughts or behaviors include the following:

• Talking about ending one’s life
• Expressing excessive amounts of guilt
• Feeling hopeless or helpless
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Giving away treasured possessions
• Increased use of drugs or alcohol
• Preoccupation with people who have died by suicide
• Having a plan (Please, always take this one seriously!!)
• Having previous suicide attempts

Ask.

You will never regret asking someone you love about suicide. Asking them will not increase the chances that they will attempt suicide, it will show them that you love and care for them. If a friend or a family member who has been depressed shows any sudden changes in personality, attitude, or behavior, it’s definitely worth having a conversation with them.

Listen.

You don’t need to have all the right things to say to help a loved one who is suicidal. Just simply listening to them, and providing a comforting physical presence is helpful. Please don’t offer up any judgements, answers, or advice. Just listen. Here are some safe things to say:

• “You are so important to me.”
• “You matter.”
• “If you want to talk about how you feel, I would love to listen.”
• “I’m so glad to know you.”
• “If you don’t feel like talking, I’m happy to just sit and be with you.”
• “You are not a burden to me.”

Keep at it.

Continue to bring up the topic in conversation and continue to support your loved one. Check on them every day, if possible. This is not extreme or annoying, this is caring!

Pay Attention to the News.

Many studies show that suicide rates increase after high-profile suicides (and after shows about suicide become popular). When these things happen, reach out to your loved ones and see how they are doing.

Following these steps can be the difference between life and death for our friends and family. In these “unprecedented times,” let’s all do our part to remind each other that we are not alone, and that our life here on earth matters.