Community Corner

Suicide Prevention and Survivor Healing

Information and resources to help the community cope with and heal after dealing with a suicide incident.

Fredericksburg Patch local editor Susan Larson reported and wrote this story.

On Monday, Fairfax County police responded to a call at the Rose Hill Shopping Center where they found an adult male who appeared to have suffered from a self-inflicted injury.

After a previous incident in Burke, Steve Iselin — volunteer board chairman with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) National Capital Area Chapter — said there is a stigma attached to suicide that increases the difficulty of sharing information that can save lives and help the survivors — those left behind after a suicide.

According to the foundation:

  • Every 14 minutes someone in the United States dies by suicide.
  • Ninety percent of people who die by suicide have a diagnosable, treatable psychiatric disorder at the time of their death.
  • Most people with mental illness do not die by suicide.
  • Men are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than women. However, women attempt suicide three times as often as men.
  • Suicide rates are the highest for people between the ages of 40 and 59.

"When a person is in that [suicidal] state of mind they are in great pain, and their only thought is to end that pain," said Iselin. "They are not thinking about what they will leave behind."

A diagnosable, treatable psychiatric disorder is a disease, according to Iselin.  "Diabetes is a disease of the blood, heart disease leads to heart attacks, and mental illness is a disease of the brain," he said. Friends and family can watch for signs that someone needs help, although sometimes the signs are not obvious.

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The observable signs of serious depression include:

  • Unrelenting low mood
  • Pessimism
  • Hopelessness
  • Desperation
  • Anxiety, psychic pain and inner tension
  • Withdrawal
  • Sleep problems

Serious depression and the following, especially when combined, are suicide warning signs:

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  • Increased alcohol and/or other drug use
  • Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks
  • Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die
  • Making a plan
  • Giving away prized possessions
  • Sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm
  • Obtaining other means of killing oneself such as poisons or medications
  • Unexpected rage or anger

Coping with suicide loss is difficult. "There is a lot of second guessing," said Iselin.  The foundation offers a survivor outreach program.  At the family's request, two trained volunteers who are themselves suicide survivors will visit the family members left behind after a suicide.

Other foundation resources include:

Local and National Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, the phone number of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.

Other resources include:

Crisis Link, www.crisislink.org, 1-800-SUICIDE or 703-527-4077

Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board Emergency, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/csb, 703-383-8500 (TTY: 703-207-7737)



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