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How to Help – Suicide is About People, Not Statistics

If you have been touched by the suicide death of tWitch, I am so sorry.

Despite research and statistics on suicide prevention indicating that the holidays are often a time of decreased suicide death, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year is often difficult for a lot of people.  Statistics and research fall to the side when a well-known, likeable, seemingly happy, person like tWitch dies by suicide.  The pain, hurt, shock, disbelief, and sadness of the loss is real because grief is about real about people and not stats.

You would have to be living under a rock to miss the messages: there are a variety of ways someone can reach out to if they are in crisis.  There are also lots of catchy phrases and infographics that circulate on social media.  Some samples are “there is no right way to grieve” or “it’s ok to not be ok.”  There is nothing wrong with these phrases and infographics, but they can also leave the receiver feeling unheard or misunderstood.

What Do You Do?

If you are the family or friend of someone impacted by the sad loss of tWitch, reach out with a heartfelt message and a simple “how are you?” or “I’m thinking about you.”

If you are the person who is impacted by the death of tWitch, when that family and friend sends that text message or makes that call, answer and be honest.  It takes courage for both parties to be present in that hurt and it can be comforting.

Suicide is complicated and often suicide loss survivors are left with more questions than answers.  But hope often rises from purposes and there is no timeline for that finding purpose.  Healing and moving forwarding are not linear.  Thank you for taking a few minutes to read this blog and I hope it brings some hope and comfort.

If you or someone you love is in immediate crisis, please call  the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. You can also reach out to us here at Spectrum Health; your well-being is our priority.

Toni Steinbarth, MS, LMHC

Crisis Centers Project Director

 

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