Something to Think About

I've been meaning to post about something that has been catching my attention in the news and is pretty salient in the counseling world. I thought I'd save this post for today: World Suicide Prevention Day. There is one suicide every 40 seconds around the world. Pretty heavy stuff.

Recently there have been many stories about military suicide rates and how the country is failing to meet our soldiers' mental health needs during and after service. These men and women are serving their country, receive extensive and expensive training, sacrifice relationships, and risk their lives and when they return their most basic needs, that of mental health care, go unmet to the point of hopelessness. There have been studies and reports saying a new office needs to be created to prevent suicide in the military. More bureaucracy, but at least they are recognizing the need. While I am no expert on suicide or the armed forces I can't help but feel angry and saddened by these articles.

I also wanted to touch on the suicide rate in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. According to Alix Spiegel's article, Traces Of Katrina: New Orleans Suicide Rate Still Up, the suicide rate has doubled in some parishes. According to the article, the city is slowly being rebuilt but the number of mental health practitioners is no where near that prior to the hurricane. I recently watched a documentary by Spike Lee on HBO, If God is Willing and the Creek Don't Rise, which also touches on the affects of Katrina, and now the BP oil spill, has had on the mentality of the city and its resident. The news article and the documentary both caught my attention around the same time, leaving me unsettled and with many questions.

While these two examples point to lack of mental health services in a large system and in a certain geographical area, I think the more pertinent issue is surrounding the stigma of seeking counseling, therapy, treatment or whatever you want to call it. And why is there such stigma for those left behind after a loved one has taken their own life? How can we help them? Many people involved in their faith communities have no qualms about seeking counseling from their pastor, priest, rabbi, etc, but what about those who are not active in a religious organization? Who do they turn to?

These recent articles have made me reconsider where I can best use my skills once I have completed my grad program. Is it in a school setting? Is it in a community agency in an undeserved area? Doing outreach? Only time will tell...

For more information visit: International Association for Suicide Prevention