Coping with Suicide

The suicide by Robin Williams yesterday has brought to public light again a very sad reality.  Many people unfortunately take their own lives.  Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 38,000 Americans annually commit suicide. (This is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.) Over  the past twenty years the rate has varied from a low of 10.4 per 100,000 to 12.3 per 100,000 in 2011, the most recent year for which the rate is reported.

More than pity has been the awareness that despite Robin Williams' comic genius, there was real illness in his life.  He achieved sobriety for more than twenty years, then relapsed.  He dealt with drug addiction and depression.  

From news reports I've guessed that the most prevalent age group for suicide is teens/young adults.  But facts and figures from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention show that the most likely age group is 45-64, by white males.  The next age group, again, surprisingly, is persons 85 and older.  Men are far more likely to commit suicide than women, by about a ratio of 78% to 22%.  Estimates are that for every reported death by suicide, another 12 persons harm themselves probably with the desire to kill themselves.  These are estimates, because it is hard to distinguish intentional suicide attempts from non-intentional self-harm behavior.  

Perhaps the death of the great comedian will also give priests and minsters and pastors the opportunity to talk openly about the facts.  The Catholic Church wisely changed its behavior towards one who committed suicide.  We understand now that most of the time, whether observable or not, there are mental disorders at work in the person.  We should not try to judge the person who attempts suicide; rather, prayer, love and support are necessary.  The Catholic Church will bury someone who committed suicide, with a Mass of Christian Burial, and prayerfully commend their soul into the hands of our loving God.  We are also called to offer support to survivors and family members.  

I unfortunately learned this years ago when my Uncle Tony committed suicide.  I did not understand it.  Neither did his family.  But we all grieve, to this day, his death.

For more information visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  ( www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org ) or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention ( www.afsp.org ).    The Knights of Columbus also publish a fine resource, "Coping with Suicide:  Catholic Teaching and Pastoral Response," available on their website.