By James Maroney
State Sen., D-14
James Maroney.
Last-minute shopping season is upon us. Malls and small businesses will be crowded with people hoping to find the perfect gift to make a loved one smile. The desire to please the ones we love is, understandably, very important to us. However, there are times we can’t seem to do enough to make those close to us happy and we don’t know why.
In recent years, mental health issues have been discussed more openly. Unfortunately, many still fear being stigmatized. More concerning, suicide rates are increasing nationally and statewide. According to recent government reports, suicide has become the second-most common cause of death among teens and young adults. According to the Connecticut Violent Death Reporting System, 1,170 individuals committed suicide in the state between 2015 and 2017.
This is incredibly sobering news, and highlights a need to have an open, progressive dialogue on methods to prevent these tragic instances from occurring. I recently hosted a Suicide Prevention Summit at the University of New Haven with state Sen. Mary Daugherty Abrams and UNH representatives. We heard from students and faculty from UNH, Dr. Frank Fortunati of the Yale New Haven Psychiatric Hospital and Dr. Madelon Barnoski, a professor of psychiatry at Yale University.
The summit was advantageous to all, especially to all legislators who attended. As the 2020 legislative session draws near, the information and feedback gathered will assist us in finding legislative solutions. This issue has impacted groups across demographics but has touched teenagers and young people especially hard.
From 2007 to 2017, the number of suicides among people ages 10 to 24 rose 56 percent. As these numbers rise, experts search for causes. From the internet to access to firearms to social media usage and a lack of coping mechanisms to effectively deal with stress, the causes can be any or all of the above. The Centers for Disease Control have cited family history of suicide, maltreatment, feelings of hopelessness, local epidemics of suicide and a history of alcohol or substance abuse as just a few more potential suicide risk factors.
The risk factors and potential causes grow, making it imperative that we continue to destigmatize mental illness and make everyone feel comfortable openly talking about what’s bothering them. Prioritizing one’s peace of mind can be a life-saving decision. According to the CDC, talking to a licensed therapist, giving oneself a break and staying away from drugs and alcohol are effective coping methods. If suicidal thoughts persist, call the suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255 and also consult a psychologist. In addition to the suicide hotline, if you or someone you know needs help, you can call 211 and then press 1 for a crisis.
As the holiday season continues, most of us will be packed into stores searching for the right thing to make our loved ones happy. But take time to remember the best gift you can give someone is asking the simple question: “Are you okay?”