OP-ED: The Dangers of Depression
It has been a little over a week that celebrated star of stage and screen Robin Williams took his own life, the result of severe depression and many years battling the pressures related to alcohol and drug abuse. But we know far too well that clinical depression – a recognized disease – has far-reaching consequences for millions of Americans that may result in suicide in a few cases, but impacts their lives and their loved ones on a far greater daily basis.
The fact is that depression is one of the most under-diagnosed diseases in the world. The spiral can be easily exacerbated when drugs or alcohol come into play. The key is to recognize its signs and act quickly to get help for the afflicted person.
Suicides of famous individuals can spike ideations of suicide. On the day after Williams’ suicide, crisis counselors registered 7,375 suicide calls to its 160 national centers, more than double the usual number of 3,000.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers. behind accidents and homicides. In our local community, Jewish Family Service runs “Teen Life Counts,” a suicide awareness and prevention program that helps troubled teens cope with depression and other contributing factors like alcoholism and drug abuse. To reach senior program coordinator Talora Gross, call 504-831-8475, extension 124.
VIA Link, a 24/7 contact call center staffed with crisis counselors to respond to problems related to health, credit or finances, and shelter by dialing 211. They also link to the National Suicide Prevention line that can be reached directly by dialing 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).
Recognizing the signs of depression and specific clues that might suggest suicide is being considered is extremely important. Some of these signs include determining if the person seems more depressed lately or, in some cases, has become euphoric as he or she considers suicide as “a way out.” Other indicators that may indicate suicide ideation could be talking out loud about suicide, losing interest in those things they were formerly passionate about and severe financial hardships that may seem overwhelming.
In any event, keeping our eyes and ears open may prevent future needless tragedies from occurring. It is a known fact that the children of suicide victims are more at risk for suicide themselves due to their inability to cope and blaming themselves for the parent’s final act of desperation.
Halacha (Jewish law) treats suicide as a criminal act. In the past many rabbis would prohibit burial for suicide victims and some prevented family members from observing the shiva period associated with mourning. Today, based on the understanding that no one in their right mind commits suicide, rabbis are more sympathetic to the needs of surviving family members.
We hope you will consider all of this if a loved one or friend suddenly becomes depressed. With today’s excellent medical care, dedicated social workers and mental health professionals, there is a large amount of support and resources to lessen the pain of depression and the prospect of a possible suicide can be prevented. But we have to do our due diligence too.
