Suicide impacts us all.
The epidemic of suicide in the United States and abroad has wide-ranging impacts in our communities. There are steps that each of us can take with those we love who are struggling. The ManKind Project USA provides resources to our members and training for our circle facilitators in what to look for, and what to do, when we encounter a person at risk for suicide.
Act with intention.
- Notice what’s happening, especially disconnection and isolation.
- Ask direct questions and take appropriate action.
The statistics are alarming. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-29 year olds, over 800,000 people die by suicide each year – one every 40 seconds – over 70% of suicides are men and the demographic with the highest number of suicides is white, educated men between 45-60.
Suicide can drain the life and energy out of a family or a whole community. It can also be contagious in that someone who survives another’s suicide may begin to consider it as a good solution. There is a correlation statistically. Suicide is highly correlated to deep stressors related to economic hardship, the end of relationships, loss of social belonging, and drug and alcohol addiction. In men, failure to live up to the social imperatives associated with ‘success’ as a man can be deadly.
Learn more at the International Association for Suicide Prevention website: https://www.iasp.info/
The personal growth work we do in MKP USA, living in mission, taking responsibility for things we care about is not the easier, softer way. Most men experience the dark night of the soul and have gotten depressed or felt hopeless. Maybe they are addicted to a substance or activity that numbs the pain and it has become unbearable.. When men withhold feelings, withdraw from loved ones and support and deny that anything is wrong, they can begin to consider ending my life as a solution to my temporary pain. A permanent solution to a temporary problem or situation. It is tragic for all concerned.
Julien Devereux, a past Chair of the ManKind Project USA said,
“So what can we do for and with each other to Stay Alive? In order to do my work, no matter how hard it is, I have to Stay Alive. Reflecting on my own history of addiction, confusion and depression, I am, these days, filled with joy that I got through it. How I got through it was that someone, often a Recovery or Warrior brother, reached into the self-created abyss I was lost in and asked me how I was doing.”
Connection with other people is one of the best interventions for suicidal ideations.
What can we do to honor those we have lost to suicide? Create events to honor and celebrate those people and to speak openly about the issues that impact all of us. The ManKind Project USA encourages communities across MKP USA to engage in and attend walks, events, etc. to bring more public awareness to suicide on Suicide Prevention Day which is Sept. 10 every year.
As part of the ManKind Project USA’s ongoing commitment to suicide prevention, and with the support of a generous donor, MKP USA offers the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Gateway Training FREE to MKP USA Supporting Members. We believe that the more people know about how to talk to someone considering suicide, the more lives will be saved. Membership Contributions to MKP USA are fully tax deductible.
Find More Resources here:
- World Suicide Prevention Day: https://iasp.info/wspd/
- Suicide Prevention Tool Kit: https://iasp.info/wspd/pdf/2016/2016_wspd_toolkit.pdf
- Resources for your I-Group to talk about suicide, Click here.
- Download the Suicide Prevention flyer-MKP to share with your group.
