Health is Health (and suicide)

Health is Health (and suicide)

Mental Health is Health; Physical Health is Health.? There is no difference from a medical standpoint; the patient is ill and needs to get better.? In some cases, the patient will get better with time (the body is amazing) and in other cases, the patient needs help, medical treatment (physical devices, medications, surgery, therapy, etc.).

The biggest difference right now is stigma.? Most physical health situations have little stigma, while most mental health situations have lots of stigma.

There is no reason for the stigma, but it has been set for a long time and is long-lasting.? And it has to stop.? Leaders need to model behavior that concepts health as health.

Suicide is often connected to health, especially mental health.? While mentally (and physically ill) folks do commit suicide, folks in perfect health also commit suicide.? Attempting suicide is not a sign of mental illness; it is neither necessary nor sufficient.? Adults ought to be allowed to legally and safely commit suicide, if they so choose.? And society should support that and helping those who are thinking about committing suicide to provide them assistance that might change their minds and providing them peaceful ways to end life’s journey.??

Suicide is permanent, suicide attempts can cause harm, and the problems that prompt folks to think about suicide are often temporary and likely not serving of ending it all.? Some folks are looking for a reason to not do it and others are looking for the best way to do it.? Just like mental health, there is often a stigma attached to suicide; there should not be.

Guns are the most effective and gruesome way to commit suicide.? Separating folks with suicide or other harmful ambitions and guns is prudent, but prohibiting guns is not allowable.? Many folks who survive suicide attempts regret the attempt, even if they try it several times.? I am struck by the story of one suicide attempt surviver who said at the moment he left the bridge he realized that all of his problems could be solved, except the one involving gravity.? Luck and physics saved him and allowed him to solve the other problems.? We can do better than luck.