Everybody Knows Somebody - Part VI

Suicides have become like gun violence. We have become numb to the reporting. We feel helpless. I read and hear comments such as: What a shame. So sad. He/She had everything.

This week two talented people, Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, died by suicide. Not to minimize their deaths, but they are only two that we know about. Meanwhile 121 people also died by suicide - the daily, U.S.-only average according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Good Reporting

What I have noticed this week is that news programs and print media are not only reporting on the lives and deaths of these celebrities, but are also reporting on suicide prevention. That is a great first step. I've also noticed that reporters and journalists are including Suicide Hotline phone numbers which is another great step. What else can we do?

The Children Left Behind

Both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain left behind daughters, age 12 and 11 respectively. What will happen to these kids? We have therapy and support groups for adults, but what do we have for these and the dozens, if not hundreds of children who have lost a parent to suicide this week?

I remember our minister coming to our home the day my mother died by suicide. Trying to sooth my anguish, the minister asked, "Wouldn't you rather have your mother in heaven instead of unconscious and in a hospital bed for the rest of her life?"

First of all, I wasn't quite sure what unconscious meant. I don't think that was a spelling word in sixth grade. Second, I didn't even know a person could take their own life. I remember blurting out my response: "No. I would rather have her in a hospital bed."

He seemed surprised. "Why?" he asked.

"At least I could hug her."

My Pledge, My Plea

While none of us know what we will die of, I am certain of one thing: I will NEVER die by suicide. Never. Why? Because my twelve-year-old self knows the enormous hole that was left in my heart when my mother died by suicide. I could never to do this to my daughters no matter how much despair I may find myself in. Losing a parent to disease or an accident as an adult is difficult. Losing a parent as a child is even more difficult. But losing a parent to suicide is beyond words.

If you feel like you are a burden to your family and friends, and believe ending it all will make it easier for them, THIS IS NOT TRUE. Please talk to someone, anyone, share how you are feeling, and ask for help. If you don't have a someone, please call the Suicide Hotline 800-273-TALK (8255). Put this number in your phone right now. I put mine under “Favorites”.

Lastly, during the month of May, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I have posted an article each week. Here are Parts I, II, III, IV, and V. Please "like", "comment" and/or "share" and help end the stigma.

#NIMHgov #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #endthestigma #evolving #13reasonswhy #liftthemask

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By Margaret H. Greenberg. I am an author, executive coach, and mental health advocate who is so grateful that I get to do what I love everyday. I get to coach amazing leaders, write about topics I care deeply about, and travel to interesting places giving talks and workshops at Google and other companies, associations, and universities around the world. I'm the co-author, with my dear friend and colleague Senia Maymin, of the Amazon best seller Profit from the Positive: Proven Leadership Strategies to Boost Productivity and Transform Your Business (McGraw-Hill Professional) which is now available in Chinese, Japanese and Korean, and developed into a Certificate Program which is rated among the top 12 positive psychology courses you can take online. Both Senia and I graduated from the inaugural Masters of Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania more than a decade ago and are also the Positive Work columnists for Live Happy Magazine. My other LinkedIn blog posts can be found here and you can connect with me on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter @ProfitBook.