Blue Gypsy Homestead
BLOG – 2023/Feb/18
Welcome back!
TRIGGER WARNING: THIS POST DEALS WITH DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
I wish I didn’t have to write a post like this, but reality hits fast and it hits hard.
I made a promise to openly discuss, with the intention of helping to normalize, the concept of reaching out for help when you are in crisis.
Over the years, I’ve lost a number of friends to suicide. Every one of them had their reasons. It still hurts.
Here are some statistics in Canada.
An average of 10 people die by suicide each day in Canada
Of the approx. 4000 deaths by suicide each year, more than 90% were living with a mental health problem or illness.
Across the life span:
Children and youth (10 to 19 years)
Suicide 2nd leading cause of death
Males account for 41% of 10-14 year old suicides, increasing to 70% of 15-19 year olds
Self-harm hospitalizations 72% females
Young adults (20 to 29 years)
Suicide 2nd leading cause of death
Males account for 75% of suicides
Self-harm hospitalizations 58% females
Adults (30 to 44 years)
Suicide 3rd leading cause of death
Males account for 75% of suicides
Self-harm hospitalizations 56% females
Adults (45 to 64 years)
Suicide 7th leading cause of death
Males account for 73% of suicides
Highest suicide rate across lifespan observed among males 45 to 59 years
Self-harm hospitalizations 56% females
Seniors (65+ years)
Suicide 12th leading cause of death
Males account for 80% of suicides
Males aged 85+ experience the highest rate of suicides among seniors
Self-harm hospitalizations 52% females
For every 1 suicide death there are:
– 5 self-inflicted injury hospitalizations
– 25-30 attempts
– 7-10 people profoundly affected by suicide loss
Source:
Public Health Agency of Canada analysis of Statistics Canada Vital Statistics Death Database and Canadian Institute for Health Information Hospital Morbidity Database.
Mental health issues have always carried a certain amount of stigma and that needs to end.
We, as a society need to be more open and accepting of people who are ‘on the edge’ because they are important.
These statistics tell me that we need to do more to normalize mental health issues.
I myself am no stranger to depression. For many years, I suffered massive highs and deep, deep lows. The depression could last weeks. Impulse control was difficult, if not impossible. It was not until 4 or 5 years ago that I was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and ADHD. In fact, it was a contributing factor to the end of my 30-year marriage.
Although the thought of taking my own life did not enter my thoughts, I can understand completely how so many lose the battle every day.
I have made a promise to bring up the uncomfortable subject of mental health, long before I lost friends.
The number of suicides among people at my high school was unbelievable. Every one of them broke my heart.
The entire point of this blog is to reiterate that it is nothing to be ashamed of if you’re struggling, whether you are an armed forces veteran or a person struggling to get out of bed every day. It IS NOT a sign of weakness to seek out help and I for one encourage anyone facing the ‘black dog’ to reach out and get the help you need.
It took my (now ex-) wife tearing into me to realize that something was wrong with me. I walked into a mental out-patient clinic and broke down; I had finally realized that something was wrong with me. The counsellor listened to me and immediately knew what was going on. He sent me to my GP with instructions to repeat exactly what I had told him. I received an appointment the same day and did as I was told. My doctor looked at me and asked me what I wanted. All I could get out was “I want to be stable.” He handed me a prescription for mood stabilizers but warned me that the process had only just begun. I honestly was oblivious to what I was doing and now that I know and I am on the correct medication, I deal with the guilt of my past actions and the hurt I caused her. Although I was moving in the right direction, it was too little, too late to save my marriage. I still deal with the guilt, but fortunately, my ex-wife is still in my life. We are friends and I am grateful that she has let me back in to that extent. She is in another relationship now and seems to be very happy; this makes me happy.
I can’t go back in time and reverse everything, as much as I wish I could, but I can move forward and live my best life. I can honestly say that I am getting better every day.
Thanks for following me. I really do appreciate the support.
Until next time
Louis
PS: If you or anyone you know is suffering from depression or other forms of mental illness, I BEG of you to reach out to them and help them find the resources they need. Please PLEASE reach out… someone really does care and most of all, YOU MATTER.
Talk Suicide Canada
Hours: Available 24/7/365 for calls; 4 PM—12 AM ET for texts; Languages: English, French
Tel: 1-833-456-4566
SMS: 45645
https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/what-we-do/suicide-prevention/
United States
https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/resources/index.html
How to help a friend – Video
https://emmresourcecenter.org/resources/how-help-friend-video
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
https://www.sprc.org/
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