Posted: 9/25/2018
Parkland mental health experts emphasize, ‘Words matter’
Not long ago, talking about cancer was a social taboo. ‘Polite’ people referred to it as ‘the C-word’ in whispered tones. The same code of silence surrounded the subject of suicide. People struggling with thoughts of ending their own life or those who had lost a loved one through suicide felt isolated, or worse, judged. Suicide was rarely discussed frankly and openly.
But with suicide rates climbing to alarming levels and affecting people of all ages in the U.S., the door has opened for meaningful conversations about this difficult and misunderstood topic. In June 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suicide rates increased by 25.4 percent from 1999 through 2016, when nearly 45,000 Americans took their own lives.
The recent deaths by suicide of two celebrities put this mental health threat on the front page. Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain appeared to have it all – fame, success, wealth. Yet each fought depression for years, battles they ultimately did not win.
September is Suicide Awareness Month and behavioral health experts at Parkland Health & Hospital System say that speaking about suicide is more important now than ever before.
“Talking about suicide is necessary and helpful, but most people don’t know how to do it. Depression and mental illness are not well understood by most people. In addition, what we say or don’t say - and how we say it - can have a huge impact,” said Celeste Johnson, DNP, APRN, PMH CNS, Vice President of Behavioral Health at Parkland. “We want to encourage use of language that does not stigmatize people who die by or attempt suicide.”
Most of us grew up hearing or reading that someone has ‘committed’ suicide, Dr. Johnson said. That word commonly describes criminal acts, like robbery, murder or treason. Using it to describe a person who attempts suicide or dies by suicide instantly conveys the message that suicide sounds like a crime.
Instead, she suggests using a neutral term to describe the act, such as ‘died by suicide.’ “Having a mental illness or experiencing depression and emotional pain is not a crime. Our language needs to reflect that,” Dr. Johnson said.
Stigma, fear and ignorance about mental illness often inhibit people from asking for help when they need it and can also prevent us from reaching out to people suffering in silence.
“There’s a myth that asking someone if they are thinking about hurting themselves will somehow encourage them to follow through. In fact, the opposite is true. Research has shown that asking kids and adults about suicide does not increase risk and instead lets the person know that you are concerned. How can you help someone if you don’t know what they’re feeling?” said Kimberly Roaten, PhD, Director of Quality for Safety, Education and Implementation, Department of Psychiatry at Parkland and Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
In 2015, Parkland became the first health system in the nation to administer a universal suicide screening program to identify persons at risk and help save lives through early intervention. The program screens not only adults but also youth, ages 10 to 17, regardless of their reason for seeking care. Since initiating the program, more than 2 million suicide risk screenings have been completed with patients in the Emergency Department, Urgent Care Center, inpatient units and Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) health centers.
Dr. Roaten said everyone should be aware of potential suicide warning signs:
• Feeling like a burden
• Being isolated
• Increased anxiety
• Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Increased substance or alcohol use
• Looking for a way to access lethal means such as a firearm
• Increased anger or rage
• Extreme mood swings
• Expressing hopelessness
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Talking or posting about wanting to die
• Making plans for suicide
If you are worried about someone, speak up, Dr. Roaten advised. “Let them know you’re concerned. Ask when they started feeling this way and whether they’ve thought about getting help. Let them know they’re not alone, that you’re there for them.”
What shouldn’t you say?
“Dismissing their feelings with responses like ‘Your life is good, why would you even think of suicide?’ or assigning guilt by saying, ‘How could you do that to me or your family – that is so selfish!’ makes the person feel judged and misunderstood. Try instead to be an active and sympathetic listener who reassures them they are not alone,” Dr. Roaten said. “Most importantly, get help from mental health professionals.”
“There are many resources, from suicide crisis hotlines to mental health providers at Parkland and throughout the community who stand ready to help,” Dr. Johnson said.
Suicide crisis lines include:
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Suicide prevention telephone hotline funded by the U.S. government. Provides free, 24-hour assistance. 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline – Free, confidential 24/7 helpline information service for substance abuse and mental health treatment referral. 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
• Suicide & Crisis Center of North Texas 24/7 crisis line. 214-828-1000. Or text “CONNECT” to 741741 to reach trained, caring volunteers.
For more information about Parkland, visit www.parklandhospital.com