Suicide and depression: a closer look

By Roxana Colman-Herak

When I was approached about whether or not I would be interested in teaching classes on suicide prevention, I flatly refused. Several weeks later I was again asked if I would think about it, I did. Little did I realize how the two suicides within my own family impacted my life as a child and now, as an adult. There were many questions I would have liked to have asked, but didn't. Why would someone want to take his or her own life? At what point do we take suicide seriously? How many of us know someone who is suffering from depression?

Most of us have gone through depression and may be faced with depression again at some point, but what is important is to understand that depression is temporary and treatable.

Life often takes us to places or situations that will test our emotional state of being. When we find ourselves in unfamiliar emotional territory it is not uncommon to feel uncomfortable and sometimes fearful. While we may want to take the path of resistance--sometimes those emotions are an opportunity to look at its origin directly, recognizing that feelings can change if we can find a way to ride out the storm.

Underlying fear takes on many faces and often as survival personalities. Feeling trapped in an "emotion" can seem overwhelming at the time, but the truth is, feelings can and do change and when they do there is a strength we gain from it. Perspectives change, beliefs change and life continues for most of us, but for someone who is not able to see depression as a temporary the situation, a person can rapidly accelerate into thoughts of ending it all.

In 2003, Montana had the second highest rate of suicides in the nation, per capita. Health professionals and statistics believe the following may contribute to depression.

According to figures released by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, in 2004 and 2005 on drug use and health, Montana had the seventh highest rate of depression (20 percent higher than the national average). Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth 10-24 years of age, surpassed only by accidental injuries such as automobile accidents, drowning and fire. Approximately 70 percent of teen suicides in the US have alcohol or drugs in their systems upon death. For every completed suicide by youth, it is estimated that there are 100-200 attempts.

Montanans completing suicide come from every age group, every culture, and every race. Why? Suicide is like a phantom that never takes a holiday. And, is not going to go away until we begin to understand some of the underlying issues involved. Those issues are sometimes directly related to our perceived belief about it. Always, there are more factors involved than what meets the eye:
   • Family support systems
   • Medications
   • Emotional Distress
   • Hopelessness
   • Desperation
   • Alcohol abuse
   • Drug addiction
   • Poverty
   • Unemployment
   • Relationships

When people in crisis perceive their situation as inescapable, they feel an utter loss of control:
   • Can't stop the pain
   • Can't think clearly
   • Can't make decisions
   • Can't see a way out
   • Can't sleep, eat, or work
   • Can't stop the depression
   • Can't make the sadness go away
   • Can't see the possibility of change
   • Can't see themselves as worthwhile
   • Can't get someone's attention
   • Can't seem to get control

The following is a list of warning sign behaviors that a person is suicidal:
   • Threatening to hurt or kill himself/herself
   • Looking for a way to kill himself/herself
   • Talking or writing about death
   • Excessive alcohol/drug use
   • Anxiety, irritation, agitation
   • Unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
   • Feeling trapped (there's no way out)
   • Hopeless
   • Withdrawing from friends, family and society
   • In rage or seeking revenge
   • Acting reckless
   • Engaging in risky activities, without thinking

If you or someone you know is experiencing any one or a combination of the warning sign behaviors, don't wait until it's too late. Mental health professionals are available at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Most suicidal people desperately want to live, but they are unable to see alternatives to the situation. Most suicidal people give definite warning signals of their intentions, but those in close contact with them are often unaware of the significance of these warnings or unsure what to do about them.

The Department of Human Resource Development's Suicide Prevention Program will be offering a series of 2-day Suicide Prevention Training Courses on: August 21 and 22, 2007 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; September 4 and 5, 2007 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and September 24 and 25 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Courses will be held at the SKC Late Louie Caye Building so please pencil in these dates on your calendars. We will post notices in the newspapers as we near these scheduled training dates.

For more information, contact Roxana Colman-Herak, (406) 675-2700 ext 1237 or Constance Morigeau at (406) 675-2700 ext 1159.