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“Make no mistake about people who leap from burning windows. Their terror of falling from a great height is still just as great as it would be for you or me standing speculatively at the same window just checking out the view…You’d have to have personally been trapped and felt flames to really understand a terror way beyond falling.” – David Foster Wallace
With the untimely and tragic deaths of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, suicide has re-entered the American conversation. How could two such beloved, successful people end it all so suddenly? As David Foster Wallace (a writer who also took his own life) said, suicide is seen as an escape from a terror beyond death. Because suicide rates can increase in the wake of a celebrity suicide, it is more important than ever to find relief from that terror.
For the suicidal, survivors, and their loved ones, there are a lot of resources to mitigate the grief and suffering of this tragic and permanent decision.
For Suicidal People
1-800-273-8255 is the telephone number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. When you call, you’ll speak to a highly trained professional who listens and talks you through what you’re feeling. It is not a resource exclusively for those imminently suicidal, and can connect you with other resources. Law enforcement are not called unless there is a clear and obvious threat.
There are also dedicated lines for Veterans and the hard of hearing (1-800-799-4889), and a text chat option for the phone-shy.
For Suicide Survivors
Loved ones left behind by suicide can be confused, angry, and sad. Survivor’s guilt is a powerful emotion, and can worsen a cycle of depression. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention can help you find a local support group. There are also local events like Out of the Darkness Walks that can channel your grief into a positive future for all.
For anyone touched by the tragedy of suicide, therapy is a valuable tool. It can help you rediscover meaning in life and find happiness. If you or someone else you know has been affected by suicide, Azevedo Family Psychology can help. Contact us today and together, we can create a life worth celebrating!
