“A suicide is like a pebble thrown in a pond. The waves ripple outward.”
We have felt that first hand since losing our daughter, Dani. Our family was impacted more than we ever conceived possible. Our dear friends. Her dear friends. Our family. Her co-workers. Our co-workers. Her formers classmates and former employers. The list goes on…and the waves ripple farther and farther out to sea.
First Wave:
When someone dies by suicide, the people impacted most dramatically are those closest to the person who died: family, friends, co-workers, classmates.
Second Wave: Those people who are members of an individual’s community, such as members of a faith community; teachers, staff and other students in a school; or service providers, may also be affected by a suicide.
Next Wave: People who may not even know the person who was lost such as law enforcement and funeral home personnel (as in Dani’s suicide), friends and families of friends…
It is estimated that 115 people are exposed to a single suicide, with 1 in 5 reporting that this experience had a devastating impact or caused a major-life disruption.
Steps we can take:
1. Work To Decrease Stigma by talking about suicide and mental health stressors.
2. Increase Support to Community by not judging, getting involved in walks, and supporting those in the community who suffer a loss.
3. Help People In Need Access Mental Health Resources. Places like http://www.ospf.org http://www.nami.org and even the resources on 33 Forever at http://www.33forever.life
We need to bond together as families, communities, churches, organizations, employers, schools etc., to stop the ripple effect that Suicides cause. It’s not too much to ask, is it? #zerosuicides
#33forever #suicideprevention #33forevermom #suicideawareness #youmatter #fight4dani #endthestigma #mentalhealthawareness #therippleeffect #nami #ospf
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/September-2018/The-Ripple-Effect-of-Suicide.
Read more from this blog at Nami.org