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Tag: suicide prevention

  • Avicii To Be Honored At All-Star Concert For Mental Health Awareness

    Avicii To Be Honored At All-Star Concert For Mental Health Awareness

    The Avicii Tribute Concert for Mental Health Awareness will take place in December in the superstar DJ’s hometown of Stockholm.

    A tribute concert for the late Swedish DJ and songwriter, Avicii, has been planned for December 5th in his hometown of Stockholm. All proceeds from the event will go to mental health and suicide prevention organizations.

    The world famous DJ, born Tim Bergling, died by suicide on April 20, 2018, after retiring from touring in 2016. Bergling had been struggling with pancreatitis aggravated by heavy drinking.

    Original Music

    The Avicii Tribute Concert for Mental Health Awareness has already confirmed 19 musical artists including David Guetta, Adam Lambert and Rita Ora, and will feature some of Bergling’s original music, some of which has never been performed live. The artists will be supported by a 30-piece band during a two-hour set, with more musical guests to be announced in the coming months.

    “We are grateful that his friends, producers, artists and colleagues are coming to Stockholm to help,” said Klas Bergling, Tim’s father, in a statement. “They have all expressed a sincere interest and desire to engage in efforts to stem the tide of mental illness and lend their support to our work with the Tim Bergling Foundation. We are very much looking forward to this evening, which will be a starting point for the foundation’s work going forward.”

    Bergling retired from performing at the height of his career after suffering from deteriorating health for years. He was hospitalized in 2012 with acute pancreatitis, which was reportedly a result of his heavy alcohol use. He had his appendix and gallbladder removed in 2014. In spite of these clear and documented health issues, Bergling was sent what was described as a “flood of hate mail” when he would cancel performances.

    Early Retirement

    The artist spoke on these as well as mental health issues in a 2017 documentary titled Avicii: True Stories, directed by Bergling’s old friend Levan Tsikurishvili who spoke with Variety on the immense pressures the DJ faced before retiring.

    “In the film, you see him working from literally his hospital bed… But I think he didn’t really know from the beginning [at 19 years old] what it means to be that successful,” he said. “No one knew that he could be that successful. It has been a weight for him.”

    After his death, Bergling’s family launched the Tim Bergling Foundation to “focus on supporting people and organizations working in the field of mental illness and suicide prevention,” among other issues. The tribute concert is part of their efforts to reduce stigma around the issues that led to the loss of such an important musical artist.

    “We want this concert to help put the topic on the agenda and pay attention to the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide,” said Klas. “Policies and tools are needed to detect the risks and prevent suicide, especially among young people.”

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • "I Want You to Want to Live": Jody Betty's Viral Love Letter to People Contemplating Suicide

    "I Want You to Want to Live": Jody Betty's Viral Love Letter to People Contemplating Suicide

    “I know the things I want to hear when I am suicidal and I think that if my words can reach even one person in their moment of crisis, then sharing my pain was worth it.”

    Trigger Warning: The following story discusses attempted suicide and links to potentially triggering articles. Proceed with caution. If you feel you are at risk and need help, skip the story and get help now.

    Options include: Calling the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255), calling 911, and calling a friend or family member to stay with you until emergency medical personnel arrive to help you.

    “Dear You,
    If you are reading this there is a small piece of you that wants to hold on…”

    Jody Betty wants you to live. Even more, Betty wants you to want to live. But perhaps most importantly, she wants you to know that every day she fights to live herself. 

    Betty is the author of “I Want You to Want to Live,” an essay with over 15,000 likes on The Mighty. The piece, she says, is one of the most referenced links in online searches that connect people who are contemplating suicide to her. No matter how depressed someone may be when they reach out to her, she says, the very act of reaching out tells her that at least a small part of them is still fighting to hold on. Betty describes the response to her essay over the past few years as “astounding.” She is grateful to serve as a resource when needed. 

    The Toronto-based 47-year-old writer, who is currently on disability due to mental health issues, first attempted suicide at the tender age of eight, and shares that she has lived with suicidal ideation for most of her life. Today, Betty is a source of hope and inspiration for those trying to fight their way out of the dark. She’s a mental health and suicide awareness and prevention advocate who wears her heart on her sleeve, putting both the good and the bad days out there in her writing on her Twitter feed, because she knows that it’s the shared experience and empathy that helps people find meaning and connection, and possibly the sustenance or hope they need to make it through another day.

    “I will remind you that although I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, I will be by your side to find out…”

    “Living with suicidal ideation most of my life has been incredibly hard. It is a constant battle in your mind to find reasons and hope to keep going, to keep fighting when you have a brain that is literally attacking you, convincing you that there is no more hope. It becomes emotionally and physically exhausting,” Betty says. “I wanted people to hear from someone actually suicidal, not someone who has been trained to deal with suicidal people. I have people who just need to be truly listened to in a safe environment, so that is why I leave my Twitter DM open for anyone in need.” 

    Being open and honest about the state of her mental health sometimes includes sharing the very suicidal ideations that have plagued her since she was a child with her social media followers. The motivation for this is twofold: letting people know that they are not alone in what may be their darkest hour and battling the stigma still so heavily associated with mental illness. 

    “You are incredibly strong. I won’t ever tell you that you are being dramatic and don’t really want to die…”

    “I firmly believe that talking about it lets other people know they are not alone in their feelings and that their feelings are valid, and in moments of crisis, knowing we are not alone is crucial,” Betty explains, adding that the stigma surrounding mental health is “real, hurtful, and harmful.” “It’s an illness. The brain, just like any other organ, can get sick.”

    We tend to judge what we don’t understand, which is exactly why it’s so difficult to shatter the prejudice and stigma surrounding mental health and the topic of suicide, says Betty, 

    “People generally do not seek out information on something they are not personally touched by in some way. You likely would not read up on cancer if it in no way touched your life, and the same applies for mental health,” she says.

    According to the most recent statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates are still on the rise, making suicide the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. In 2016, the CDC’s Vital Signs reports, nearly 45,000 Americans ages 10 and older died by suicide. 

    “Suicide is a leading cause of death for Americans – and it’s a tragedy for families and communities across the country,” said CDC Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat, M.D. in the release. “From individuals and communities to employers and healthcare professionals, everyone can play a role in efforts to help save lives and reverse this troubling rise in suicide.”

    Betty is doing her part, she says, by sharing her story of hope and healing. 

    The CDC and Association for Suicide Prevention advise that anyone can help prevent suicide by taking such steps as learning how to identify the warning signs, how to appropriately respond to those at risk, and contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Betty acknowledges that these steps are not to be ignored. Sometimes, though, the key to getting through to someone contemplating suicide is being able to practice empathy instead of sympathy. 

    “I don’t know you, but I do care because I can empathize with your pain; I feel it myself.”

    “I find sometimes the crisis lines seem very scripted, and often don’t say the right things simply because they have never been there,” Betty says. “They can sympathize but not empathize… and there is a big difference. I wrote [I Want You to Want to Live] from the heart. I know the things I want to hear when I am suicidal and I think that if my words can reach even one person in their moment of crisis, then sharing my pain was worth it.”

    Betty’s grateful when her words reach people in need at the right time.

    “The hardest thing to do is reach out your hand and ask for help but once you do, you would be shocked at the number of people who reach back.”

    Read “I Want You to Want to Live” by Jody Betty and follow her on Twitter.

    If you or someone you know may be at risk for suicide, immediately seek help. You are not alone.

    Options include:

    • Calling the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
    • Calling 911
    • Calling a friend or family member to stay with you until emergency medical personnel arrive to help you.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Women Launch "Joy Tour" To Raise Mental Health Awareness

    Women Launch "Joy Tour" To Raise Mental Health Awareness

    Two women are on a nationwide mission to spread awareness about suicide prevention. 

    Two women have given up their jobs and are traveling to all 50 states on what they call a “Joy Tour.” 

    More specifically, the women—Shontice McKenzie and Cedrica Mitchell—are doing the tour in hopes of raising awareness around the increase in suicide in the United States. 

    According to AL.com, the two have made one-month long stops in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and now Alabama for the month of February.

    The suicide rate in Alabama has been higher than the national average for the past 29 years. The rate there is 16.2 per 100,000, in comparison to the country’s average of 13.9.

    According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 24. 

    During their tour, McKenzie and Mitchell are hoping to break down the stigma around mental health and increase access to outlets like yoga, meditation, exercise and the arts as a whole.

    “We have met so many families who are still in denial about a family member who completed the act of suicide because they don’t want the backlash from the public,” McKenzie said. “They should have received more support around the topic. Then we can prevent suicides. That’s what the Joy Tour is about.”

    The Joy Tour was sparked as part of McKenzie’s nonprofit H.U.M.A.N.I.T.Y 360, INC. The women conclude their month-long state visits with what they call a “Joy Jam.”

    The Joy Jam is a free event that offers food, connections to mental health resources, and the chance to be educated about different holistic approaches to mental health. 

    While their visit to each state has varied, McKenzie says the one thing that has remained steady is the fact that people struggle to access appropriate mental health resources. 

    “Most of these people in these communities are contained in their environment. So, they rarely go outside of their environment,” McKenzie tells AL.com. “I don’t know many mental health resources that are coming to them by going inside of these places. So, we are coming to them.”

    After leaving Alabama, McKenzie and Mitchell will head to Tennessee in their 2002 Chevy Trailblazer, which boasts more than 246,000 miles. They hope to eventually replace it with an RV. As of now, the two women plan to conclude the Joy Tour in 2023 in the state of Hawaii. 

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington's Widow Appear In Suicide Prevention PSA

    Mike Shinoda, Chester Bennington's Widow Appear In Suicide Prevention PSA

    The cast of ABC’s “A Million Little Things” also appear in the mental health PSA. 

    The family of Chester Bennington appear in a new suicide prevention PSA, continuing the Linkin Park vocalist’s legacy through mental health advocacy.

    Linkin Park bandmate Mike Shinoda and Bennington’s widow, Talinda Bennington, appear alongside the cast of A Million Little Things, a new ABC drama about losing a friend to suicide. The PSA aired during the premiere of the show last Wednesday (Sept. 26).

    “We lost our fictional friend to suicide,” says actor James Roday, who plays Gary Mendez on the show. “And we lost our very real friend,” says Shinoda.

    Chester Bennington died by suicide in the summer of 2017. He was 41. Since his passing, his widow Talinda has become the face of mental health advocacy and suicide prevention.

    Through social media, Bennington has been able to open a dialogue with grieving fans and promote efforts to raise awareness of the warning signs of depression and suicidal thoughts.

    “The passing of my husband cannot be in vain,” she said this year. “His passing was a catalyst for opening up dialogue with respect to emotional and mental health. Throughout his life, he saved countless lives with his music and philanthropy. And through his death, he continues to save lives by spotlighting the urgent need for a change in our mental health culture.”

    On what would have been her husband’s 42nd birthday this past March, Bennington encouraged fans to learn the Five Signs of Emotional Suffering. She is hoping to “change the culture of mental health” so that people who are struggling, and their family members, can address it openly and feel comfortable to seek help.

    “I am now more educated about [the warning] signs, but they were definitely there: the hopelessness, the change of behavior, isolation,” she said during a CNN town hall with Anderson Cooper in June.

    A Million Little Things is a new show on ABC that confronts the reality of losing a friend to suicide. The cast of friends and family—played by Romany Malco, Grace Park, James Roday, David Giuntoli (whose character Eddie credits his late friend for his recovery) and more—are left to cope with the fact that their friend Jon (played by Ron Livingston) is gone.

    “Jon was the one who made the plans, who brought everybody together. They all relied on him. Now he’s no longer there, and they’re going to have to figure out what their new role is,” said Stephanie Szostak, who plays Jon’s wife Delilah.

    In June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suicide rates in the United States “have been rising in nearly every state.”

    In 2016, nearly 45,000 Americans age 10 or older died by suicide.

    As for the “why” behind Jon’s passing, actor Livingston said he’s not focusing on that. “I decided early on to resist the urge to try to find the answer to why this guy did this. Suicide takes people in different ways for myriad reasons,” he said.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • Chester Bennington's Widow Talks Mental Health, Suicide Prevention

    Chester Bennington's Widow Talks Mental Health, Suicide Prevention

    “If we can find good coping mechanisms, if we have people we trust that we can talk to, that helps us make better choices for ourselves. My husband didn’t have that in a lot of situations.”

    In the wake of the suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, Chester Bennington’s widow Talinda Bennington has continued speaking out about mental health and suicide prevention.

    It has been nearly a year since Bennington died by suicide on July 20, 2017 at the age of 41. In a recent CNN town hall with Anderson Cooper, Talinda described realizing that there were warning signs before her husband died. “I am now more educated about those signs, but they were definitely there: the hopelessness, the change of behavior, isolation.”

    Talinda was used to her husband being depressed, adding, “That was all part of our daily life. Sometimes, some signs were there more than others. Sometimes, they weren’t there at all.”

    The rocker was in good spirits in the days leading up to his death. Talinda shared, “He was [at] his best. We were on a family vacation, and he decided to go back home to do a television commercial. This was not a time where we or any of our family suspected this to happen, which is terrifying… We thought everything was OK.”

    Unlike her husband, Talinda did not suffer from depression. “Watching my husband go through it, I had no idea. I could not relate.”

    Bennington was very open in interviews about his struggles with depression, addiction, and dealing with the trauma of being sexually abused when he was young.

    In an interview that was released shortly after his death, he said, “My whole life, I’ve just felt a little off. I find myself getting into these patterns of behavior or thought—especially when I’m stuck up here [in my head]; I like to say that ‘this is like a bad neighborhood, and I should not go walking alone.”

    “If we can find good coping mechanisms, if we have people we trust that we can talk to, that helps us make better choices for ourselves,” Talinda said. “And my husband didn’t have that in a lot of situations.”

    His Linkin Park bandmate Mike Shinoda is also speaking out about mental health. Shinoda, who recently released a solo album titled Post Traumatic, told Billboard, “It was so weird being given a membership to this club that I never wanted to be a part of. One thing I’ve learned, in terms of mental health, we talk about it being like physical health. Mental health should be the same. Mental health is just health. The way we get to that point is to check in with ourselves.”

    If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) in the United States. To find a suicide helpline outside the U.S., visit IASP or Suicide.org.

    View the original article at thefix.com

  • CDC: US Suicide Rate Has Risen 30% Since 1999

    CDC: US Suicide Rate Has Risen 30% Since 1999

    The Centers for Disease Control also found that only half of people who died by suicide had been diagnosed with a mental health issue.

    A new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that suicide rates have risen by 30% across the United States since 1999.

    The report, released Thursday, made another surprising revelation: only half of those who took their own life were diagnosed with a mental health condition. This goes against the commonly-held belief that depression is the main cause of suicide.

    The CDC reports that other leading contributors to suicide besides mental illness include struggles in relationships, finances, and substance abuse.

    “Suicide rates in the United States have risen nearly 30% since 1999, and mental health conditions are one of several factors contributing to suicide,” wrote CDC researchers in the report. “From 1999 to 2015, suicide rates increased among both sexes, all racial/ethnic groups, and all urbanization levels.”

    The heavily covered tragic suicides of fashion designer Kate Spade and celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain reflect the increasing risk of suicide by Americans in their age bracket.

    “Middle-aged adults had the largest number of suicides and a particularly high increase in suicide rates. These findings are disturbing,” said Dr. Anne Schuchat, the principal deputy director at the CDC.

    The only age group that did not see an increase in suicide rates were those over the age of 75. The increase in suicide rate was otherwise seen across the board, culminating in nearly 45,000 deaths by suicide in 2016.

    “What we tried to do in this study was look at the state level at trends over time,” explained Dr. Schuchat. “Unfortunately, the suicide rates went up more than 30% in half of the states.”

    The only state that did not have an increase in suicide rate was Nevada, but that state has experienced a historically high suicide rate as is.

    “A key thing that we focused on was looking at individuals who committed suicide, comparing those with mental health diagnoses with those who didn’t,” said Dr. Schuchat. “More than half of all the individuals who committed suicide had no mental health diagnoses.”

    While these rates seem bleak, Dr. Schuchat believes it’s possible to turn the situation around.

    “I have learned that it is important to talk about survivor stories. We know that suicide is preventable,” Schuchat said. “We are in a different era right now, with social media increased and also social isolation is high… We think helping overcome the isolation can improve the connectedness.”

    View the original article at thefix.com