‘Family Matters’ workshop in Fauntleroy to shed light on suicide

| Fauntleroy | Health | West Seattle news

EDITOR’S NOTE: We have had this story in queue for publication since October 11th. We mention that because, less than 24 hours after we received it from Judy, a young man killed himself at Fauntleroy’s Cove Park; mourners gathered there for a tribute last weekend, and their loss is yet another reminder this topic must stop being taboo.

(A young walker in Seattle’s “Out of the Darkness” walk in September. Photo courtesy Danna McGill)
By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

One of the most untalked-about topics scheduled to be talked about during “Family Matters” week at Fauntleroy Church – which begins today – is suicide. “Understanding Suicide,” a workshop on prevention and coping, is scheduled for 5 PM Sunday.

It will be led by Danna McGill, who chairs the state chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). She knows about suicide as both organizer and survivor. Joining her will be two others with somewhat different perspectives on suicide loss.

When Danna’s best friend died by suicide a couple of years ago, she was stunned. If only she had had a little education, she reasoned, she would have seen it coming. She decided to participate in an AFSP “Out of the Darkness” fund-raising walk in Seattle and immediately knew she had found her tribe.

Through AFSP, she could learn, find support, and eventually, ensure that others got the same services she had needed.

Washington ranks in the top 25 nationally for suicide. In 2008 (the latest statistics), nearly 900 people in the state took their own lives. The trend is upward, with a worrisome increase now in men between 45 and 64.

“This increase could have something to do with the economy,” Danna said. “We also see a large number of military personnel taking their own lives.”

Another factor: People who suffer from an undiagnosed mental illness tend to persevere until that age and then can’t any longer. An estimated 90 percent of all suicide victims have a diagnosable mental illness. This number could be much lower, Danna said, if as a society, we were better at recognizing and treating clinical depression.

A priority goal of AFSP is to reduce the stigma that attaches to families that have lost members to suicide. The stigma is huge, she said; people don’t want other people to know. She is, however, seeing it begin to fade.

“I equate it to sexual molestation, which was never talked about when I was a kid but it is now,” she said. Such events as “Family Matters” bring suicide into the light and reassure individuals and families that they are not alone.

(If you or anyone you know needs help in preventing suicide, there’s a 24-hour hotline – 206-461-3222. For more information on this workshop and other “Family Matters” week events, go here.)

coffee October 22, 2011 (11:13 am)

Even if you don’t think someone in your circle might have any suicidial issues, this would be an excellent workshop to attend. People can mask their mental health issues quite well and you wouldn’t know till its too late.

MaryCooks October 22, 2011 (11:59 am)

Too true, coffee. I know this well, unfortunately.

Eaglelover October 22, 2011 (3:06 pm)

Thank you WSB for keeping this subject in the news. My good friend chose this path sadly this week, and even though there was a bunch of police and such there is no mention of it anywhere in the news, even though it was in a fairly public location (not in WSea). Good for the church in tackling this shunned issue.

Beth October 22, 2011 (7:24 pm)

Concur what Eaglelover said. Thank you.
And, to honor the families and friends, and to remember those who couldn’t wait just one more day, please do not shy away from this topic… Thank you, too Fauntleroy Church for offering a forum.

West Seattle Mental Health Advocate. October 22, 2011 (10:38 pm)

I disagree that sexual abuse and molestation is no longer taboo. It is still extremely taboo and when it is talked about, it is made to seem like it is a rare occurence and that only “bad” people abuse others. It happens a lot and in every kind of families.

But now getting off my soap box to say thank you for bringing attention to this topic.
If only going to therapy wasn’t so stigmatized…
but that’s yet another soap box.

Also, something important to remember. Quite often, in the days before they commit suicide, people seem happy and peaceful. This can be a sign to watch for in someone who is typically really depressed and suicidal.

douglas October 23, 2011 (10:14 am)

to coffee re:masking
one has to be good. it’s part of the on going struggle. good enough that even if they ‘joke’ about it, those around them don’t realize they are really serious.

deirdre October 23, 2011 (5:36 pm)

This subject is extremely taboo, and needs to be brought into the light. My father took his life almost 9 years ago and it is so hard to tell people how he passed because I can tell.it makes others uncomfortablble. Depression is very common and is being talked about more, but suicide is still such an uncomfortable topic. Whenever someone dies it really sucks, no doubt about it. People who take their own lives are sick just like those who die of cancer and people need realize its ok to get treatment for their illness and not try to ignore it until it ends in a life taken.

Sorry, comment time is over.