Stark County Ohio – Increase in Teen Suicides

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In Stark County Ohio there has been an alarming increase of teen suicides over the past 12 months. From one high school alone, there were 6 students who have died by suicide,  other surrounding schools have also lost multiple students to suicide. In one case, at the Jackson Memorial Middle School, a 13 year old boy brought a .22 caliber rifle into the school, he had approximately 80 rounds of ammunition and according to the police reports, his intention was to do harm to as many people as he could before taking his own life.

There are classifications for when more than one suicide happens in a geographical area: Contagion, Clusters and Epidemic. The following information will break down the difference between a Contagion and the two types of Clusters:

What is Suicidal Contagion and what are Suicide Clusters?
Suicidal contagion (also known as “copycat” suicides) It has long been believed that when suicidal contagion occurs, a suicide cluster can develop. A cluster, in this case, is defined as multiple suicidal behaviors or suicides that fall within an accelerated time frame, and sometimes within a defined geographical area. Studies have shown that adolescents are the ones most affected

There are two main types of clusters.

A mass cluster involves suicides that cluster in time – irrespective of geography – and are often associated with the influence that media reports may have, such as suicides by celebrities.

Point clusters involve suicides that are close in time and/ or space. They often occur within institutional settings such as hospitals, prisons, or schools, or within distinct communities.

The question is, why are we seeing so many teen suicides in such a small geographical area in such a short time? The answer, I don’t know, I don’t think anyone knows for sure yet but I have been told that the CDC is now investigating this area in an attempt to isolate the cause or possible causes, this has surpassed the “Cluster” classification and is now being considered an “epidemic”. Could it be chemical, alcohol and drug use, societal? At this point, we don’t have the answers but we know that as a community, we need to come together to have an open dialog and to reach out to our children and let them know they’re not alone.

Over the past decade I have seen in increase in the efforts to support a Mental Health awareness, both from our government and our schools. In my opinion, we still have a long way to go on this topic and on our efforts as the stigmas still remain. If we can provide the opportunities to better educate the public about the facts of mental health, we’ll ultimately help to save lives. I believe the best way to start decreasing the number of suicide attempts is through education. When people know what is happening to them, they’re far more likely to reach out for help, more likely not to attempt suicide because they understand what may be causing them to feel this way in the first place and they will know that there are many people who are willing to help them find a better place.

For some, medication and therapy can cure them of major depression but knowing that mental health disorders are due to the chemicals in the brain, what works for one may not work for another. Many people who suffer from major depression may never be able to come off of their medications, the meds don’t always balance the brain chemicals. For these individuals, they’re looking at a life of being on their prescribed medications. If it works for them, helps them to not suffer, then I don’t have a problem with the medications but for some, the trial and error period of finding the right medication is the most dangerous part of the process. It is during this time that many may attempt and even succeed in dying by suicide.

Speaking for myself, someone who has battled major depression for years, I can say and attest to the fact that between the medications provided, professional therapy and gaining more knowledge about mental health, these components have helped me to manage the illness and to overcome the times when strong bouts occur. I always advise anyone who approaches me about this, if they’re suffering or know someone that is, please get them help. Get them to a mental health professional to be evaluated and diagnosed.

With the increase of teen suicides in Stark County, Ohio; I now see many people being more open to discuss mental health, to get help, to offer help and the best part is that as everyone in this area is quickly becoming more educated on the topic, the stigmas that surround mental health are being broken down.

The Bully Behind You

Mental Health is a bitch. Depression and anxiety, they don’t play by the rules and they show no mercy. For years I saw a Psychiatrist/Therapist, took my meds daily just to keep the depression and anxiety at bay. For over a year now I have been med free; no visits to the doctor needed.

The reality is that the attacks never completely stop. I have more control over them now than before but the inevitable is only a matter of time. Depression and Anxiety are like a bully who is constantly behind me, waiting to pounce at any moment; one never knows when the attack will happen. For the most part, I have figured out how to feel content and when I get relaxed in this state of mind… BOOM!!! Hit from behind by the bully, taking me down; down into the abyss we call life, a never-ending feeling of sorrow and emptiness. I know I can fight through this. I tell myself this and I fight until the bully goes away, back into hiding until his next attack, I ready myself for when that day comes.

I’m what I call a “Dual Suicide Survivor.” I have lost 4 friends to suicide, one of them being my best friend ever. Back in 2009 I survived my own attempt and since then I’ve tried to turn the experience into something positive. Through my blog I try to reach out to the masses who may also be struggling. I let them know they’re not alone and that there is help out there, help to no longer suffer on a daily basis. I share my articles through social media and I’ve had several people I know reach out to me in confidence. This gives me hope, a feeling of giving back by helping others, a feeling of “my life matters too.”

Although my depressive episodes today are fewer and father between than in the past, when the “Bully” returns for the surprise attack, it’s like being hit by a bus. For me, I can almost feel it coming on and there is nothing I can do to stop it. I grip the handrails with all my might, hold on tight knowing that I’ll get through this, I can’t let it win so I stand my ground and refuse to give in. Unfortunately, this triumph, this victory does not have the glory of winning the big game. It’s exhausting and I’m filled with sorrow and pain, sometimes physical, I know if I hold on, normalcy will return – somewhat.

Today wasn’t a good day – I have the wounds to prove it so see for yourself – look into my soul.

Tomorrow will be a better day ∞

Dangers of “The Stigma”

The problem with Stigma is not just the fear created by ignorance, the problem is that stigma can also kill. 

Unfortunately, with all of the information available to the public, there is still a lot of ignorance surrounding mental health, there is still unwarranted stigma directly associated to those who are suffering the daily battles with their illness. Mental Illness is very real and it affects millions of people around the world.

Approximately every thirty seconds, someone from around the world will die as a result of their mental illness.

What is the answer? How do we better prevent these deaths? I firmly believe that education is the key to suicide prevention. If we can better educate our society about mental health, inform them of the signs to look for, the professional help that is available to them and the medications that are now on the market working wonders in the lives of many; I believe that we can start to break down the stigmas that surround mental illness. This education should start with our young, in the schools, grade schools, middle schools and high schools. There should be free seminars for college students and adults alike. There is no minimum age for who may attempt suicide. I have read stories of children as young as seven or eight years of age who have passed away by suicide.

So what is the stigma of mental health? If you broke your arm, you’d go straight to a doctor, everyone would want to sign your cast but if you have depression, as in there is something wrong in your brain, you will most likely suffer in silence, no one will be running to you, they’ll be running away instead. This is what society needs to better understand. Our brains are very complicated and when something is broke inside of our brains such as a chemical imbalance, this is not easily accepted by society as would be any other part of our bodies if they were broken.

I once watched a video on YouTube where the speaker made the comment, “How many of you would put on your Facebook status that I can’t get out of bed, I hurt my back. How many of you would put on your Facebook status that I can’t get out of bed, I have depression?” This is a big reality check because depression can make it feel impossible to even get out of bed everyday, or to eat, or to socialize, or to do anything; depression can immobilize, it can kill.

I stated that stigma can kill. The way I see it, as long as there is stigma surrounding mental health, as our family members, our friends will be far less likely to help us get the professional, the medical assistance that we as sufferers so badly need. They won’t talk about it, they won’t address it and they won’t want to be a part of the solution. This leaves the individual who needs the help feeling completely alone. For the individual who is suffering, they don’t want people to look at them weird, to call them crazy or to be bullied by others because of their illness, those suffering will hold it inside rather than seeking help, medication, guidance and support. In time, the illness takes over, it will consume the person and bring them to a very dark place. In this place, suicidal thoughts begin, the mental and sometimes physical pain becomes so overbearing that it makes sense to end the pain. The only way to stop this pain is to stop living and in this darkness, the person is not being selfish, just thinking about themselves, they’re in so much pain that they’re not actually thinking and now they’re able to act on these suicidal thoughts.

Had there been no stigmas surrounding mental health, had the person reached out for help before they plummeted to this dark place and had those around them, ran to them, instead of away from them, maybe they could have received the professional and medical treatment they needed and maybe their death could have been avoided. Now those same family members and friends are at the funeral discussing what a sad loss this was. What could have been done? What would make them kill themselves? These are honest questions but they’re questions due to ignorance….

What could have been done? You could have been more open minded and there for the person. You could have taken them to get help.

What would make them kill themselves? They didn’t kill themselves, the untreated illness killed them in the same way that cancer eventually will take the lives of the afflicted.

This point of this article is to bring society together to tear down the stigmas surrounding mental health. Everyone needs to better educate themselves and educate others as well. This will prevent more deaths, this will save the lives of your family and friends. Let’s, as a society, finally realize there is nothing to be ashamed about being afflicted with mental health. It is an illness, it can be treated and maintained. In some cases it can be cured but in many, the patients will be on medications for the rest of their lives but at least these medications will allow them to have a quality of life and to be happy.