Depression is real and if the signs and symptoms were publicized more people could possibly receive treatment. There is no shame in asking for help. Suicidality is a topic that needs to be spoken about and a light shined on.
I think that some of the work the newspaper did has led to lessening the stigma of suicide. From time to time it is mentioned as a cause of death, or at least depression is listed as the cause. That is a state in the right direction.
Renee, I googled “signs and symptoms of suicide” it returned a little more than 19 million results. So, I do not believe it is for a lack of information that people fail to seek help.
I think ken is, on the right track when he writes the "stigma of suicide”. It may be that the fear of being branded as something is greater than their fear of death and their solution is to end their life. That may be one possibility, but not the only one.
W Tucker, I was referencing the signs and symptoms of depression, not suicide. Most, not all, are depressed before thoughts of suicide start to occur. If we recognized and provided treatment for those individuals, we may be able to reduce the suicide rate. I believe the whole topic is very complex yet, by being aware and taking care of our fellow community members, solutions might be found. This is an area where it takes a village.
“Most suicides are linked to some form of psychiatric illness, particularly depression, and the more severe the depression, the greater the risk. Still, most people with major depression do not die by their own hand. Studies show that about 5 percent of depressed persons may have thoughts about suicide—suicidal ideation. Only a small percentage of them actively make plans to end their lives”
So, it does not appear that depression is a major factor in someone taking their own life
“You will be writing about a subject you know less about, than the people who you are writing about. You will be relying on those people who are the news you are cover, to explain it to you. And you will then have to write about it.”
This was stated in one of my stints in college, a professor made a statement. I wished I would have written down because I can only paraphrase it now. It was a journalism class and the prof was stating what should be obvious to every news person. I feel it resonated with me more than my classmates because they were in their late teens and early 20’s. I was 33.
Because the younger you are, the less you understand it. This is because the more knowledge you gain in life - it should serve as a lesson of how little you do know.
Just because a journalist is the one presenting the facts, s/he should always keep in mind they are not the expert. And while the purveyor of information, they should never step into the quagmire of being THE expert... the know-it-all.
The one thing I feel is lost in most small-town newspapers is a lack of understanding of this. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise is the perfect example (more on that in my forthcoming column)
----
The difference is a column
In columns, you find a workaround... you go with your heart. You go with what you know. Most importantly, you have (HAVE) to be honest. In that, you can write about what you don’t know and question everything. If you are honest, a reporter makes it clear what confounds them, but what we all know
I think you got that about right. But I would add that most journalists know they are not experts and they are trying to find out the facts and the truth as best they can. They don’t always get there, but that is the goal.
Another great column, Ken. (Market Block Books called - your first two are waiting for me!) One critically important note: the word "committed" has a negative connotation. He committed a crime. She committed perjury. Gentler and kinder, and frankly, more accurate to say "died by suicide."
Just so heartbreaking...
You never get over losing a child, at least I never have.
Agreed
Depression is real and if the signs and symptoms were publicized more people could possibly receive treatment. There is no shame in asking for help. Suicidality is a topic that needs to be spoken about and a light shined on.
And just as importantly... and maybe with more difficulty--- being the friend that sees something and reaches out.
I think that some of the work the newspaper did has led to lessening the stigma of suicide. From time to time it is mentioned as a cause of death, or at least depression is listed as the cause. That is a state in the right direction.
Renee, I googled “signs and symptoms of suicide” it returned a little more than 19 million results. So, I do not believe it is for a lack of information that people fail to seek help.
I think ken is, on the right track when he writes the "stigma of suicide”. It may be that the fear of being branded as something is greater than their fear of death and their solution is to end their life. That may be one possibility, but not the only one.
W Tucker, I was referencing the signs and symptoms of depression, not suicide. Most, not all, are depressed before thoughts of suicide start to occur. If we recognized and provided treatment for those individuals, we may be able to reduce the suicide rate. I believe the whole topic is very complex yet, by being aware and taking care of our fellow community members, solutions might be found. This is an area where it takes a village.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/depression/signs-depression
Renee, this link www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/depression/depression-and-suicide will take you to an article, within the article that you supplied to me. The title is “Depression and Suicide” The following is taken from that article.
“Most suicides are linked to some form of psychiatric illness, particularly depression, and the more severe the depression, the greater the risk. Still, most people with major depression do not die by their own hand. Studies show that about 5 percent of depressed persons may have thoughts about suicide—suicidal ideation. Only a small percentage of them actively make plans to end their lives”
So, it does not appear that depression is a major factor in someone taking their own life
“You will be writing about a subject you know less about, than the people who you are writing about. You will be relying on those people who are the news you are cover, to explain it to you. And you will then have to write about it.”
This was stated in one of my stints in college, a professor made a statement. I wished I would have written down because I can only paraphrase it now. It was a journalism class and the prof was stating what should be obvious to every news person. I feel it resonated with me more than my classmates because they were in their late teens and early 20’s. I was 33.
Because the younger you are, the less you understand it. This is because the more knowledge you gain in life - it should serve as a lesson of how little you do know.
Just because a journalist is the one presenting the facts, s/he should always keep in mind they are not the expert. And while the purveyor of information, they should never step into the quagmire of being THE expert... the know-it-all.
The one thing I feel is lost in most small-town newspapers is a lack of understanding of this. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise is the perfect example (more on that in my forthcoming column)
----
The difference is a column
In columns, you find a workaround... you go with your heart. You go with what you know. Most importantly, you have (HAVE) to be honest. In that, you can write about what you don’t know and question everything. If you are honest, a reporter makes it clear what confounds them, but what we all know
I will add that -- when writing columns -- Mr. Tingley is an artist.
But let's all keep in mind... there are times when even artists fail.
Sometimes artists kick over the can of paint. I’ve done it myself.
I think you got that about right. But I would add that most journalists know they are not experts and they are trying to find out the facts and the truth as best they can. They don’t always get there, but that is the goal.
there are quite a few journalist, because they wrote a story, they think that gives them some sort of credibility.
I know with the emptyprize the writers they don't think anyone should point out how they are wrong.. and other newspapers
https://edwardlow.substack.com/p/what-we-dont-know-we-fall-prey-to
Another great column, Ken. (Market Block Books called - your first two are waiting for me!) One critically important note: the word "committed" has a negative connotation. He committed a crime. She committed perjury. Gentler and kinder, and frankly, more accurate to say "died by suicide."
It’s a good point.
It is VERY heartbreaking because that issue is SO important! If we don’t care about our kids, who will? We MUST take care of our kids!
We must take care of each other.