May 7, 2008
Recognizing, coping with the signs of suicide
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by Patricia Gay
In the past few months, the Weston community has been affected by a wave of suicides, including the deaths of a Norwalk police officer who grew up in Weston, a Weston High School student, a Fairfield man at the Saugatuck Reservoir, and last week, a Weston mother at Bisceglie-Scribner Park.
There is such a collective feeling of sadness and loss that Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss and Jon Weingarten, director of Weston’s Emergency Medical Services, are considering holding a townwide program or meeting to address the issue.
Still in the planning stages, Mr. Bliss said he wants to do something meaningful and is exploring what other communities have done under similar circumstances and what the impact in those places has been.
Factors
Suicide — the taking of one’s own life — accounts for the deaths of more than 31,000 Americans a year, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). It affects all age and socio-economic groups.
Several factors can put a person at risk for attempting or committing suicide (although having these risks does not necessarily mean suicide will occur).
According to the CDC, some of the risk factors include:
• History of depression or other mental illness
• Previous suicide attempt(s)
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Family history of suicide or violence
• Physical illness
• Loneliness
• Facing a perceived “humiliating” situation
• Facing a perceived “failure”
• Feeling excessive guilt or shame
Ways to help
According to the CDC, some of the ways people can help someone who may be at risk for suicide is to:
• Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
• Be direct. Talk openly and matter-of-factly about suicide.
• Be willing to listen. Allow expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
• Be non-judgmental.
• Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
In cases of violent suicide that occur in public places, the victim may be trying to make a statement, according to Charlene Chiang-Hillman, a psychotherapist, who is also the town’s social worker. She has counseled families and children for nearly 30 years.
“Suicide is very often an angry act, not sadness or depression,” Ms. Chiang-Hillman said. “Many people who commit suicide have a history of psychiatric problems. It very rarely comes out of the blue,” she said.
Resources
There are professional and confidential resources available to children and adults who are thinking about or have questions about suicide.
Weston children may contact
Kids in Crisis counselor Bonnie Rumilly at Weston High School or at 327-5437.
They can also talk to their
school guidance counselors or school psychologist Kristin Phoenix, at their schools or at 291-1660.
For additional support, children may contact
Weston Youth Services at 222-2663; and the
Mid-Fairfield Child Guidance Center at 299-1315.
To help deal with grief and bereavement, children may contact the
Center for Hope
in Darien at 655-4693, and
Healing Hearts in Danbury — a child and adult program for people impacted by loss — at 792-4422.
Adults with questions and concerns about suicide may call
Ms. Chiang-Hillman, at 222-2663 (“All calls to me are held in the strictest of confidence,” Ms. Chiang-Hillman said.), or the
Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center hotline, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 203-551-7507.
Infoline of Southwest Connecticut offers information and referrals on all types of health care options, health services, mental health, social services, legal services, financial services, and other topics. Call 211 or visit www.211infoline.org.
The Connecticut Self-Help Network is a statewide clearinghouse for all support groups across the state. Its Self-Help Directory lists more than 1,450 local and statewide groups dealing with abuse, addictions, bereavement, disabilities, health, mental health, parenting, and many other stressful life situations. It also has contact information for more than 1,000 national networks. For information, call 203-624-6982.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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