Gun Violence and Suicide Awareness, part two
The Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ (PHJCS) and the management of Lifeplex are uniting in addressing concerns as business associates and friends in our common beliefs and shared community.
Earlier this week we heard shocking numbers of shooting and deaths over the July 4th weekend. This is the second in a series on the topic of gun violence and suicide awareness. The first article was intended to open the conversation and look deeper into the subject surrounding gun violence. as Christians, we reach out together to the broader civic community to explore this critical issue through our similar values. We believe it’s possible to create a thriving community committed to health and safety for all. There is cause for hope.
Our Values
The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ: The dignity of the individual, particularly those most vulnerable in our society compels us to care for others. We live simply with an eye for bringing justice to those we meet. We listen to the Spirit to provide compassionate care to the community, especially those in need, and use our collective voice to protect the rights of all.
at Lifeplex, Dr. byron and Mary Holm, dedicate the ministry of Lifeplex to the stewardship of God’s grace and gifts. With commitment, communication, respect, education, and service our mission is to assist others in reaching their God-given potential especially through physical fitness and health as it relates to and sets in balance with mental and spiritual fitness.
The person
Children and teens are at greatest risk. The Gun Violence archive states that the number of children and teens shot from firearms in 2023 (6,193) and resulting in death (more than 1,600) surpassed deaths from motor vehicle crashes. It was the leading cause of death in children and teens under 18 years with suicides ranking the highest among those numbers. “Six of every 10 gun deaths are self-inflicted, with access to a firearm tripling an individual’s risk of death by suicide.” (Everytown USA).
While guns rank highest as a weapon they are not the only objects used to harm another or one’s person. and we remember that these other weapons were not constructed for violence or ill intent. Knives, rope, water, pharmaceuticals, automobiles are all apart of our society for the good of living. Which brings us to the importance of channeling our attention on the root cause.
The Root Cause
Our dialogue included potential causes of suicide. There is no attempt to make this an exhaustive list but to provide our own realization of situations that can lead to desperate hopelessness. Often these negative influences are combined or culminate into an enormous plight and the person does not have adequate coping skills or trusting relationships, or available mental health services. Some contributing factors are loneliness, abuse in homes, growing isolation, impact of COVID, anger, rejection, depression, seniors without purpose, absent parents or surrogates, broken families, mental illness, feelings of uselessness.
Being Aware and Taking Notice
What can we watch for and act upon? Suicidal ideation “means that you're preoccupied with the idea of suicide. You may regularly think about the way you would commit suicide or think about what life would be like if you weren't around. You may also replay the suicidal act out in your mind.” Healthline. com
“Suicidal ideation is one of the symptoms of both major depression and the depression found in bipolar disorder, but it may also occur in people with other mental illnesses or no mental illness at all.” Verywellmind.com
“a person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about their personal appearance.” WEBMD. com. This website also lists several other helpful warning signs.
but identifying a person who might take their own life is not a perfect science with always predicted outcomes.
In an article in the Harvard Health blog by Patrick J. Skerrett, “Suicide Often Not Preceded by Warnings” September
24, 2012 the author writes:
"Many people who commit suicide do so without letting on they are thinking about it or planning it," says Dr. Michael Miller, assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Although some people who commit suicide have an identifiable mental health problem, like depression or addiction, others don't. Some talk about wanting or planning to kill themselves or give other hints, others don't. The decision to commit suicide might be made just minutes or hours before that act. What prompts a person to take his or her life? No one really knows - experts never get to talk to people who have committed suicide. T hey can only talk to those who are contemplating suicide or who survive it.
As we think of friends and their loved ones who have lost their life in such dark places, this causes us to reflect. “For now we see in a mirror dimly”. We don’t yet fully grasp, but as Christians we seek to trust. Ironically this verse is at the end of the Bible’s Love Chapter, 1 Corinthians 13. Love, after all, conquers all. Yet we are not capable of understanding the full extent of God’s love for us, or our own love towards others. Neither are we capable of knowing
the anguish of all hopelessness. ”For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.“1 Corinthians 13:12
Help is Available
David declares in Psalm 124:8 “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” And God promises “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. The Bible is full of hope and God’s love. For some, their journey from suicide ended in renewed life and purpose when God’s Word became their rescue net and loving arms! God’s love is overflowing and ever extended. As Christians we are called to be Christ’s hands and feet in this world – an ear of listening, a word of compassion and hand in action to help those in need.
The International Association for Suicide Prevention gives this information:
If you’re struggling, it’s okay to share your feelings. To start, you could copy one of these prewritten messages and send it to a trusted contact.
Reach out
When you get a chance can you contact me? I feel really alone and suicidal, and could use some support.
Contact a loved one
I don’t want to die, but I don't know how to live. Talking with you may help me feel safe. Are you free to talk?
Express your feelings
This is really hard for me to say but I’m having painful thoughts and it might help to talk. Are you free?
Check in
I’m struggling right now and just need to talk to someone — can we chat?
Call the suicide hotline 988. Contact a pastor, medical doctor, or mental health professional. For those grieving a loss, local resources are dustinsplace.org and griefshare.org
We, the authors are not mental health professionals. In our collective work, we care for people in ways to improve their physical health, stimulate mental clarity, provide friendship and emotional support, share others’ burdens, offer instruction and direction, give hope, and share the love of Christ. Just as suicide is a result of different situations, and is manifest by different means, the protection of life from this tragedy is found in different ways. It may be structured mental health care, or a loving friend making time to listen, love, and direct. If you need to reach out in either direction, do it now. Reach for help. Reach to be the help.
We welcome dialogue from our community and further contributions of compassionate thought, expertise, and resources through print media as well.
Reach us at wecare6724@gmail.com
Next article: World Suicide Prevention Day – Sept. 10; Creating Hope through Action