Homeless Overlooked in Today’s America by Sandra Smith

What is one of the growing problems in our society? Homelessness.  In our society, we try to sweep issues that Americans are ashamed of or that we don’t want to deal, with under the rug.   Homelessness is one of our taboo subjects that Americans choose not to face.  Society feels that if we ignore this less fortunate class of people, they will just disappear.  Homeless people are not illusions.  They are not apparitions or non-entities.  They are human beings just like the rest of Americans.  The only difference is that we haven’t fallen on as hard of times as they have, nor do we suffer with some of the issues that they do, which have led them to this disgraceful fate. 

The history of homelessness originated back during the colonial America maybe around the 1600’s. (Fisher) The cause, it is believed, is the King Philp’ War of 1675-1676 between the French and Indians. (1)  Many people were driven out of their homes and forced to the coastal areas and into the forest.  These people were labeled “Steady Beggars” or “vagrants” and were often just wondered around aimlessly. (1) A law was soon passed that these people could no long wonder around, so they were made into servants or indentured servants.  As the war carried on they were forced out across New England and New York.  During the time of the American Revolution, homelessness increased and in 1857, when the depression struck, it was at an all-time high. (1)  The economy was incredibly terrible and there was no work.  Charities tried to step in, but, because of the rising influx of people, it was impossible to keep up.  For many families they never recovered, and homelessness was passed on for generations.

The social effects of homelessness range from economics to crime.  Healthcare costs for homeless people is higher than for the rest of the public.  This is due to longer hospital stays than usual.  They are at risk for more serious illnesses such as psychological disorders, HIV/AIDS and addictions that hold them in medical facilities about four times longer than average. (Loftus) Mental health issues and incarceration costs are at an incline due to extensive treatment due to psychological treatment and medications.  “Combining affordable housing with appropriate services including help in finding work has consistently succeeded in helping people get off the streets and rebuild their lives.” (Daly 1996 p. 150).  Incarcerated homeless who have committed crimes, cost tax payers in excess of $15,000.00 per year on average. (Loftus) This takes a toll on local businesses.  If the crime rate is up, people are less likely to shop where there is an abundance of homeless people for fear of being robbed.  If customers don’t shop, then the merchants aren’t making a profit which causes the economy to tumble.

The issue with the homeless is that they don’t have permanent lodging, so they set up house anywhere.  Just like the rest of us, some have families and want them to be safe.  So where is the safest place to be?  In a well-lit area usually around people.  If they set up in an alley or someplace where it is dark, there are safety risks.  A person may show up without a family with nothing to lose, rob these people or hurt them or their families in other ways.  One of the few options for them is to set up in front of or alongside of businesses.  It is a help for the homeless, but, not for merchants, their staff or patrons of the business.  “It's even to the point where my staff does not want to take the trash out at night after we close because they feel unsafe with all of them sitting around everywhere,” Zach Cobian, owner of Rita’s Ice, wrote in an e-mail to the City Council.  

Within the last 3 years, monumental changes have been made to assist the homeless community.  The method that we are most familiar with would be defined as the traditional model.  That is the long process a person would be subjected to involving locating a facility, filling out paperwork, waiting for a long period of time, sometimes all day, to be called by a screener who would take information from the person and in some instances, send the person to another waiting area just for them to be passed around again just to be told that they would be contacted when something becomes available.  The organization, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, said no more.  They implemented a plan called Housing First Model. The plan is to offer permanent and affordable housing for the individuals and/or their families.  The difference in this plan is to remove the person from their current situation as soon as possible.  This is initiated by providing short term shelter leading to permanent supportive housing.  The individual is literally guided into each stage and followed until the person and or family can support themselves and maintain a stable household.  Programs such as this, allow many families to pursuit personal goals and this is the difference between forging forward or having to return to their previous lives. 

The USICH and Public Housing Authorities have worked together to devise an innovative program to educate and aid with the homeless community.  They have created facilities that are like one stop shopping for services, tools that are designed to recognize those who are at risk and provide available resources such as vouchers or rapid rehousing, collaboration with street outreach programs to identify the at risk individuals to assist them with the correct level of help and making waivers readily available for special programming so the that the families don’t have to wait unnecessarily. (Dreyer) In some areas, project-based vouchers or PBVs have been found to be beneficial to those with little or no income.  These vouchers allow for housing to cover for those in financial need. 

Right in our own backyard of Houston Texas, it has been ranked with the second highest population of homeless veterans.  In 2015 that changed.  They have reached what is called a functional zero level, regarding veterans.  This feat was accomplished through city and federal aids along with the Mayor and approximately 30 agencies working with the city to rehouse 3,650 homeless veterans over a three-year period.  The Coordinated Access System of Houston aids in many areas.  They improvised a 5 steps program.  First, the assessors are based at call centers or

at outreach centers to identify at risk individuals.  Secondly, this information is used to determine the need of the individual and the appropriate place of referral.  Thirdly, based on that assessment, the determination of the appropriate type of housing is chosen.  The fourth step is determining the types of interventions and programs needed and fifth is the connection with a housing navigator to walk the family through the housing process.  From the beginning to the end of this process is usually within a 30-day period. (Baker)

Continuum of Care is a group that has been instrumental in aiding with medical and mental health for the homeless and those receiving assistance after being placed in housing.  There are some people that were displaced or homeless because of medical bills so high that they could not afford to pay for both medical treatment and rent or needed mental health treatment and were either so mental distraught that they didn’t know how to function or did not know where to turn for assistance and in turn are unable to cope with life, so they are forced to live on the street or in shelters as they are allowed.  COC is an entity that will screen patients that come in and assess then assist them with medical financial assistance such as Medicaid applications.                                                                             From there the participant is paired with a nurse who guides them though the medical plan. (Baker) The plan may be an in-house facility or a home health agency providing care at the patient’s residence.  For the people who do not quality, for whatever reason, there are grants and other private funds mandated to assist with medical bills.  In this program, the patients who are in a facility, the stay is about 45 days.  During this time, the staff on the Medical Respite team can work on placement for the individual so that at the end of the stay they have a reliable, stable home and a plan for medical and mental health.  As like any program, the participant has a deadline for the set goal.  The team will follow the individual for 6 months.  They will make sure that the participant has transitioned well enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle and that treatment goals are met.  Once the goals are maintained, then the individual is discharged from the program.  Organizations such as the State Department of Health request funding to provide the individual with funds to assist with setting up their homes as they transition into new housing. (Loftus)

The comparison between Camus’ absurdity and my topic, homelessness, is so spot on.  We, as a nation, look down upon those less fortunate.  Americans do not like to see any situation out of order.  They want to see all situations tidy in a box, neatly wrapped and hand delivered.  What I mean by that is, if it’s messy, it’s avoided.  Camus tried to explain his take on absurdity by saying absurdity is the direct ratio to the distance between the 2 terms of comparison; aspiration and reality.  People tried then, as they do now, to run from absurdity.  They would say it doesn’t make sense; just avoid it.  Sounds a lot like how people feel about homelessness.  This to is a messy situation.  It’s not a neat and clean cutely wrapped box.  It is dark, dirty and confusing. In one phrase… a problem.   What do we do? How do we solve it?  Oh we can’t put a title on it, so let’s just sweep it under the rug and pretend that it doesn’t exist.  I think the same battle that he had with trying to prove to the world that absurdism existed, he would have the same battle with homelessness.  He would tell everyone that homelessness is a reality that is our problem and should not be overlooked.  These are human beings and not abstract objects or non-entities to be taken lightly. As I mentioned before, a lot of these people have families.  Camus adored his daughter and didn’t want to hurt her.  Remembering back on his life, he stayed in his marriage mostly out of obligation and love for his child.   I do believe that if he had the opportunity to create a viable shelter for the homeless, he would. The solutions that I wrote about previously, would have probably been his brain child and it may not have taken him as long as it has taken the world to figure it out. 

As a community, we should try to implement a system to where those that need help can get help not by begging but by earning it.  No one wants to feel needy, but many are.  Through the collaboration of communities, local and federal government working together to put programs in place and volunteers to keep it flowing, these people can keep their dignity and function in society without being ostracized.  The homeless are men, women and children are just like the rest of us.  We are just a little more fortunate than they are and many of us don’t appreciate it.   In some instances, we are one pay check from being homeless ourselves. 

 Works Cited

BAKER, LISA A., ET AL. “MANY PATHS, ONE

DESTINATION--New Directions and Opportunities for Ending Homelessness: Part One of a Two-Part Series.” Journal of Housing & Community Development, vol. 73, no. 2, Mar. 2016, pp. 6–15.

Daly, Gerald. 1990. Health Implications of Homelessness: Reports from Three Countries. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 17(1): 111–125.

Dreyer, Bernard P. “A Shelter Is Not a Home:

The Crisis of Family Homelessness in the United States.” Pediatrics, vol. 142, no. 5, Nov. 2018, pp. 1–4

Fisher, Robert. The History of the Homeless in America, Nov. 2011

Gottfried, Ted. Homelessness: Whose Problem Is

 It? Lerner Publishing Group, 1999. 

Kusmer, Kenneth. DOWN AND OUT ON THE ROAD: The homeless in the American History.

            New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.

Ladd. H.F. (2015) Education and Poverty: Confronting Evidence.  

            Journal of the Policy Analysis 31(21), 203-227

Loftus-Farren, Zoe. “Tent Cities: An Interim Solution to

            Homelessness and Affordable Housing Shortages in

            The United States.” California Law Review, vol. 99,

            No 4, Aug. 2011, pp. 1037-1081.

What Veterans Need: Caring for Those Who Served."

            Psychology Today, vol. 50, no.4, ug. 2017, p.14

Shay, Kylyssa. (2010) Common Myths and Misconceptions

            About the Homeless. Pp.10-16

Shinn, Marybeth, Beth C. Weitman, et al, Predictors of

Homelessness among Family in New York City. American Journal of Public health, Vol 88, number11 (November1998), pp1651-1657

Obesity by Amber Seeton

           

           Why is obesity having such a rapid rise? Why is it spreading like a plague even though its not communicable? “One in three adults are obese (Dr. Scott Lear)”. One in six children are obese. Obesity is being overweight and calculating your body mass index to figure out just how much you are overweight.  So why the rise? There are many reasons: use of cars, lots of fast food, and prepared meals. There are restaurants and fast food places around every corner making it easy to always buy food instead of having homecooked meals. These are just some of the reason’s obesity is a social epidemic that can be solved.

Let’s learn about the history of obesity. The word “obesity” does not appear in the English language until the seventeenth century (Eknoyan 421). It was not actually recognized as a health issue until the nineteenth century but today obesity can be recognized as a chronic disease (429). Obesity is something that can be pretty obvious that you have so you could be able to fix the problem once you realize that you have it. It has to do with the energy if ingested food and that expanded in your daily activities (422). In history, body fat served a purpose of storing food reserves. The ability to store surplus fat from the least possible amount of food intake may have made the difference between life and death (422). Those who could store fat easily had an evolutionary advantage in the harsh environment of early hunters and gatherers (422).

There are some social effects obesity has on society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 2008 as many as 19.8 percent of adolescents younger than ninetenn were considered obese (Williams 1). Laura Williams says that children face emotional and social effects similar to children who are facing cancer treatments. Being a child can he hard, constantly learning new things, growing up, making friends and learning who they are. Children who are obese have the possibility of being bullied over it. Even though there are more children these days who are overweight it is still normal for them to be picked on about it. With that being said it could have a negative impact on the way they think, they might think less of themselves and grow to have self-esteem issues. Obese children miss more school than children at a normal weight. “They might exhibit reduced performance in the classroom, withdraw socially or act out (1)”. All these factors could usually lead to depression. Children may stop engaging in their favorite activities, which could also lead to more weight being gained.

 There are also some social effects that have to do with the community around you. There are plenty daily activities that influence every day actions: community, home, childcare, school and work place settings (“Overweight & Obesity” 1). For instance, people who live in poor areas may not have access to quality grocery stores and healthy food options. It may be easier for their budget to buy less healthy foods. Another example, people need to drive to get to most of their destinations because it is to far to walk, so that also cuts down on some exercise. In some community’s it is actually dangerous for you to walk places because there aren’t many sidewalks, or maybe at night there isn’t enough light to be seen by incoming traffic. About a year go a friend was hit y a truck on his bicycle while riding at night. The driver did not see him because of lack of street lights and was hit. He was in critical condition for months and is still trying to get back to a healthy state. The ways our communities are set up these days there is restaurants and fast food places everywhere. Most places give bigger portions of food that we should be eating and have lots of added sugar, then the amount we would add if the same food was cooked at home. Another reason could be we spend a lot of time looking at a screen for entertainment. We are also not getting as much physical education at schools as we should be. There are lots of factors that contribute to this epidemic.

 What do our inner circles have to do with obesity? Previous research suggests that obesity clusters in social networks and that a person's chance of becoming obese increases if their network members become obese (Winston 1). This could have to do with how often you see these people, how close of a friendship you have, and how far they are from that person. The friendship you have with others is very important including the activities you do together. For example, if one of your close friends is always eating out, they will ask you to join. Before you know it you are eating out almost every other day which will lead to weight gain. “Theories suggest that network ties are shaped by and interact with a broad range of health determinants” says Goodman. Lots of friends always want to go out and drink almost every weekend. Drinking often is very harsh on your body, but there are your close friends, so you go anyways to hang out with your inner circle.

Being obese has to do with everything being put into your body. The world around us isn’t helping with obesity either. When you are driving down the road there is basically a fast food restaurant on every corner, there’s at least three within a mile of my home. This makes it convenient to just pick up dinner instead of having a home cooked meal which would be a better health choice. Even if you are on a budget you can go to a fast food restaurant there Is a dollar menu, of course nothing healthy. The healthy choice would probably be a salad, but they are usually at least six dollars apiece, which could be fine for a single person but not a bug family the cost will add up. Children can also be very picky, one of my sons loves to eat fruits and vegetables, but my other son completely hates them so, what do I do? I just feed him what he wants because he needs to eat. That is probably my own fault for not making him eat them when he was younger. It is pretty obvious that one of my kids is skinny and my other is a little on the chunky side. After class, I’m usually hungry. Instead of going home and eating healthy I will stop by Whataburger or something of that sort. I am overweight myself. I know I am, but I still do nothing about it because I choose what is convenient for me, like most people do.

There are a number of government resources that can help with the obesity epidemic. A wide range of government policies and programs have been implemented including the development of national clinical guidelines, nutritional labeling on packaged foods, education and social marketing efforts, calorie labeling on restaurant menus, and federal efforts to increase access and financing for fresh fruit and vegetables (Novak 1).

What are some solutions that could help with obesity? First, let’s start with childhood solutions that would help. There is a program called “Let’s move!” founded by Michelle Obama, “This program is dedicated to solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams” (“The obesity solution” 1). This helps to give parents guidance for a healthy environment for both exercise and nutrition. There are two specific plans for Lets Move!. The first is to have healthier choices in school and the second is to make sure that “every family has access to healthy, affordable food” (1). The name of the program also promotes physical activity for children. There also are many different programs within the Let’s Move!. One of them is Let’s Move Active Schools, “which is a national initiative that works to ensure that 60 minutes of physical activity day is the norm in K-12 schools across the country” (“Lets Move” 1).

In Sharma’s words, “I’ve never met anyone who has been cured of their obesity,” (Fell 1). She also goes on to say: “They’ve lost weight and kept it off, but most people are doing something to keep that weight off every single day” (1). She believes, “They are treating the condition, and if they stop that the weight will come back” (1). “I treat my obesity every day via a regular exercise regimen and thoughtfulness about my dietary intake” (1). If you stop eating correctly and stop exercising surely not to long later the weight will start to come on quickly. James Fell says: “I will be in treatment for the rest of my life if I wish to stay lean” (1). Which I would agree from personal experience. I have tried the ketogenic diet, also known as keto, you might have heard of it because it’s a popular diet at the moment. I did this for about three months with few mess-ups and lost around twenty pounds. As soon as I started back to my regular habits, I gained it back pretty quickly. But what is the solution according to James Fell? Subsidizing the right foods and taxing the wrong ones. A 2012 release from the US Public Interest Research Group determined that government subsidization of treat-food additives pay for twenty one Twinkies per taxpayer per year, but those same taxpayers only get half an apple paid for (1). There is something seriously wrong with that math, “Making healthy food less expensive and treat food more expensive can go a long way to improve eating habits” (1).

One of the things you think about when thinking, “what is a solution to obesity?”, would be physical activity and exercising. Obesity comes from taking in too many calories and not burning enough off. Exercise will assist in weight loss or staying at a healthy body weight. “Despite all the health benefits of physical activity, people worldwide are doing less of it” (“The Physical Activity..” 1). Physical activities are going down in countries all over the world. In wealthy countries like the United States and even in poor countries like China. It is obvious that this decline in activity is the reason for this world-wide obesity epidemic and increasing rate of chronic diseases. How much activity do people need to prevent weight gain? Well, researchers found that women in the normal weight range at the start needed the equivalent of an hour a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity to maintain a steady weight (1). The researchers also found that vigorous activities rather than a slow walk have a bigger impact when trying to lose weight (1). Exercise helps with weight loss but has a bigger impact when combined with a low-calorie eating plan (1).

 In one study, for example, researchers randomly assigned 175 overweight, inactive adults to either a control group that did not receive any exercise instruction or to one of three exercise regimens-low intensity (equivalent to walking 12 miles/week), medium intensity (equivalent to jogging 12 miles/week), or high intensity (equivalent to jogging 20 miles per week) (“Physical Activity” 1). The whole study group was asked to stick to their regular habits for six months (1). After those six months, the volunteers who were assigned to high intensity works did lose abdominal fat (1). On the other hand, volunteers who were on the low or medium intensity did not lost any abdominal fat. Researchers believe that physical activity can help obesity in more ways than one (1). For example, physical activity increases people’s total energy expenditure, which can help them stay in energy balance or even lose weight, as long as they don’t eat more to compensate for the extra calories they burn (1). Physical activity decreases fat around the waist and total body fat, slowing the development of abdominal obesity (1). Physical activity can help lower depression and anxiety which in the long run will keep them motivated to keep moving. From my experience when exercising it will help control losing weight, but the more you work out and get used to getting up and moving you will start to notice you have more energy during the day also, Be moderately active at least an hour a day.

Now here are some healthy weight loss steps according to Dr. Deborah (“Solutions for obesity” 1). Avoid sugars and starches and restrict all carbohydrates; They promote fat storage and inhibit fat burning. Start to increase protein, salad greens, and vegetables while also allowing yourself to eat fat. Once you start to feel full, stop eating (1).

Obesity is a problem that needs multi-discipline approach. Since there are many factors that contribute, it is less likely that only one approach, exercising, will solve the problem for all obese individuals (Wiley 1). Food is part of our culture and daily lives and needs to be “managed” along with other activities such as work, exercise and sleep (Wiley 1).

Albert Camus was an absurdist philosopher, who believed that life had no meaning. He always questioned “what is the meaning of existence”? I do believe that Camus would think that the obesity epidemic is absurd. We bring obesity amongst ourselves but don’t take responsibility for it, we find other people or things to blame for our own problems.

The obesity epidemic can go away, if everyone starts making better health choices. Every community should work together on living a healthy lifestyle. The importance about learning about the obesity epidemic is having a healthy weight and overall health, avoiding life threating diseases, and teaching our kids the healthy way of life.

Works Cited

"Physical Activity". Obesity Prevention Source, 2018, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity-and-obesity/. Accessed 10 Nov 2018.

"Solutions For Obesity | Drdeborahmd.Com". Drdeborahmd.Com, 2018, https://www.drdeborahmd.com/solutions-obesity. Accessed 10 Nov 2018.

"The Obesity Solution: Exercise Science And Wellness". Concordia University, St. Paul Online, 2018, https://online.csp.edu/blog/healthcare/the-obesity-solution-how-exercise-science-approaches-wellness. Accessed 10 Nov 2018.

“Obesity: What Is It and Why Should We Care?” Feel Healthy with Dr. Scott Lear, 14 Mar. 2018, drscottlear.com/2018/03/14/obesity-what-is-it-and-why-should-we-care/.

Eknoyan, G. (2018). A History of Obesity, or How What Was Good Became Ugly and Then Bad. [online] Ackdjournal.org. Available at: https://www.ackdjournal.org/article/S1548-5595(06)00106-6/pdf

Fell, James. "What Is The Solution To Obesity?". James Fell, 2018, https://www.bodyforwife.com/what-is-the-solution-to-obesity/. Accessed 10 Nov 2018. Medicine Reports, Elsevier, 2015,

Novak, Nicole, and Kelly Brownwell. “Role of Policy and Government in the Obesity Epidemic.” Obesity, Circulation, 6 Nov. 2012, www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/circulationaha.111.037929.

Pachucki, Mark C., and Elizabeth Goodman. Social Relationships and Obesity: Benefits of Incorporating a Lifecourse Perspective, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 June 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4512667/

Winston, Ginger, et al. “The Relationship between Social Network Body Size and the Body Size Norms of Black and Hispanic Adults.” Preventive"Let's Move! Programs | Let's Move!". Letsmove.Obamawhitehouse.Archives.Gov, 2018, https://letsmove.obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/initiatives. Accessed 4 Nov 2018.

Suicide Epidemic by Victoria Perez

Did you know that suicide claims more lives than car accidents? (“Suicide Kills Three Times More People Than Road Traffic Accidents, We Urgently Need to Act”) Every eighteen minutes someone, somewhere takes his own life voluntarily and intentionally. Suicide is an ongoing last resort for countless souls in our nation every year. The number continues to grow, and the ages of the lives lost gets younger and younger. But, why? There are hotlines, phone numbers, and chat centers. Are the current resources in place not doing their job or not doing enough? Most like to say that they would help someone in need, but when it comes down to it, would they really? Suicide is a social epidemic that has been neglected, that needs to be refocused on.

History

Historically, the opinions on suicide range. In Ancient Greece, the act of suicide was not necessarily wrong as long as it was accompanied with justification. Plato, opposed suicide but gave three exceptions: if it is ordered by law, if one is suffering from a painful and incurable sickness, and last, when one is “compelled” to do so, due to an “intolerable misfortune” occurring. However, Epicureans felt that suicide is justified if and when one’s life becomes unbearable. In 4^th century A.D. a strict law prohibiting suicide was put in place. It was deemed a mortal sin. Suicide was very slowly de-criminalized across Europe upon the adoption of the Suicide Act in 1961. 

            Did you know that the suicide rates here in the United states have risen in nearly all fifty states since 1999; a 30% overall increase to be exact. This increase not only puts suicide as being the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S. but also puts suicide rates to be virtually at a thirty-year high.

In regards to the cause of this social epidemic, there are several contributing factors. The first of which I will bring up is that the current resources are not doing their job and it’s no secret. In fact, its known by those in charge of the resources. Professor Julie Cerel, President of the American Association of Suicidolgy, acknowledges this in an article with BBC News, “Why U.S. Suicide Rate is on the Rise”. She not only stated that our mental health systems are struggling, but also that “in terms of training mental health professionals we’re not doing a great job.” She further mentioned how as of 2018, only ten of our fifty states mandate suicide prevention for health professionals. (5) (“Why U.S. Suicide Rate is on the Rise”)

The CDC, and suicide help resources give statistics, and general basic “causes” linked to suicide. Aside from the point-blank statistics, the information they publish very well may come off as patronizing, to some. Driving one further away from reaching out for help. The stigma attached to suicide or those dealing with suicidal thoughts/ideation also plays a part, deterring one from seeking out the help they may need. Nearly 45,000 chose to end their own life in 2016. Why hasn’t the gravity of this epidemic been taken to heart and taken seriously? Suicide doesn’t discriminate. Furthermore, suicide goes far beyond statistics, labels, and overall assumptions related to suicide. It is time to take a step back and refocus on the suicide social epidemic, with emphasis on the youth and young adults.

Social Effects

Suicides effects extend beyond those are struggling with suicidal thoughts, those who attempt the act, and those who have chosen to take their own life. It effects their loved ones, their inner circle. It also affects others in society. Suicide is not only an epidemic within the United States, it is a global epidemic.

Does the term Suicide Contagion sound familiar? Also referred to as a suicide cluster, is a “process in which one individual or multiple individuals can contribute to a rise in suicidal behaviors among others. Especially those who already have suicidal thoughts or a known risk factor for suicide.” (Howard, Jacqueline) It can spread through a school system, a community, and on the event of a celebrity suicide wave it can have affects nationally. How is this occurrence dangerous? John Ackerman, the Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, gave two insightful quotes in an article with CNN, in reference to Suicide Contagion: “If they’re already struggling with thoughts of depression or risk of suicide, they’re already trying to get information about how other people are experiencing it.” He further went on stating, “Especially when you’ve got high profile people who are successful and who the world view as having a lot going for them and they die by suicide. It can generate feelings of hopelessness.” (Howard, Jacqueline)

Did you know that there was a 9.85% increase in suicide- 1,841 lives lost to be exact- recorded in the United States in the four months that followed Robin Williams 2014 suicide?  

            Recently two high profile individuals took their own lives. For a brief moment it gave a renewed focus to suicide. (Fisher, Nicole) While advocates and educators of mental health care tried to do their best in using these tragic losses to save countless others, the focus became blurred and lost by the details and scandal due to the media.

Examples       

No one is immune to suicide. The government puts out statistics, warning signs, and such. I cannot say enough, suicide goes far beyond statistics, labels, and assumptions.

A close friend of mine had an experience with suicide. From the outside looking in she lived a privileged life. She always appeared to be happy, she was popular, and excelled academically. You know that saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover”? It is so true. It can make or break people. You never know what people are going through. What people didn’t know and couldn’t see is that she was abused, she had been raped, her father had passed away, she struggled with thoughts of suicide. Immediately following our high school graduation, her struggle hit hard and the decline was rapid. Every day, was worse than the day before. In her words, she was “drowning in slow motion.” She was hesitant to every reach out or talk about it because she feared judgement. When she felt she was hitting rock bottom she finally sought out help. By her mother she was called dramatic. By one doctor, she was brushed off with the comment “what problems could someone like you possibly have?” By the second doctor, she was just thrown a prescription. One she later used in a suicide attempt. You see, she was failed by those who were “supposed” to help her.

She described her experience in a way that I’ll never forget. She said it was as if she were in the middle of the ocean, just trying to keep her head above the water. Her mother comes by in a boat. Reaching her arms out towards her mother, for help, her mother just looks at her and stands motionless.  Another boat comes by, again the person in the boat, motionless just watches her reaching out pleading for help. Then a third and final boat appears, this time she is screaming and reaching her arms out. However, this person does not try to save her, instead they throw to her a cement block.

            Although I shared her personal story, the bottom line of one being failed by those that are supposed to help is one that occurs all too often. For not only our generation but the next generation we should be working together to change this devastating epidemic.

Solutions

Some campaigns address suicidal behavior directly. This was done in the United States Air Force Suicide Prevention Program. Others however focus on depressive disorders. (Giner, Lucas)

Reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, and suicide.

Suicide Prevention

Five action steps that we can use to talk to/ help loved ones:

1. ASK.

 Be straight forward and ask the person how they are and if they are thinking about suicide. Be supportive and non-judgmental. It opens communication. Even if they aren’t ready to talk at that moment it can lead to them coming to you in the future. Then LISTEN.

2. KEEP THEM SAFE.

If you believe that suicidal behavior is an issue, you want to understand how you can help keep them safe. Know the answers to the following three questions:

Have they attempted suicide before?

Do they have a plan to commit suicide?

Do they have a timeline to take their life?

If you believe they are at IMMEDIATE RISK:

You may need to call 911.

If you believe that they are HAVING SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/IDEATION but DO NOT have a plan in place:

Encourage the disposal of any fatal resources, (e.g.: firearms and medication).

Support/Assist them in getting help for the suicidal thoughts/ideation they may be having/dealing with, (e.g.: a doctor or therapist)

3. BE THERE.

Be available and connected to the individual. Daily texts. Listen when they try to talk about what they’re struggling with. Calling or texting each day. Listening to the persons' struggle. Do not make commitments that you are not willing to follow through on.

“Research suggests that feeling connected to a social group acts as a buffer against psychological pain and hopelessness.” (“Suicide in the United States”)

4. HELP THEM CONNECT

It is impossible for you to be the only support in one’s life. A key to preventing suicide however is social support. Help connect them with outside support, for example:

The Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

5. FOLLOW UP

 Continue daily check-ins. Ongoing support can decrease the risk of a suicide attempt and/or a completed suicide.

Suicide is a progressively common cause of death in the United States today. Number ten cause of death in the United States to be exact. Since not all that attempt suicide are in contact with a mental health professional it is important that those around are aware of the risks, and are able to identify warning signs. Making yourself aware of the 12 KEY WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR could save the life of someone you know. (“Suicide Rising Across the US”)

The 12 Key Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior are as follows:

1. Feeling like a burden

2. Being isolated

3. Increased anxiety

4. Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

5. Increased substance use

6. Looking for a way to access lethal means to hurt oneself or others

7. Increased anger or rage

8. Extreme mood swings

9. Expressing hopelessness

10. Sleeping too little or two much

11. Talking or posting on social media the desire to die

12. Making plans for suicidal behavior

Camus and Absurdity

Albert Camus’s admonition regarding whether or not to commit suicide left us with only one valid question, “so why go on?”. German critical theorists and French existentialists were in agreement upon the answer, “because there is always work to be done.” (Martin, Elliot B. Jr.) Albert Camus’s conclusion on the topic at hand, suicide, “we must go on, we must find our path.” (Martin, Elliot B. Jr.)

Conclusion

Suicide is an epidemic not only here in the United States but worldwide. Every action has an equal reaction. We must treat others with respect and with kindness. We must be more open minded. We must make ourselves aware of warning signs. Look out for our friends, and loved ones. Those personally suffering from suicidal thoughts, should reach out and seek help. Every person can make the choice to make a difference in this social epidemic.

Suicide Epidemic Works Cited

Eckert, Tanya L. and Miller, David N. “Youth Suicidal Behavior: An Introduction and

Overview.” School Psychology Review. V. 38, No. 2, (2009): 153-167. Web.

Fink, David S., Santaella-Tenorio, Julian, Keyes, Katherine M. “Increase in Suicides the

Months After the Death of Robin Williams in the US”, 7 February 2018.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0191405

Fisher, Nicole. “Suicide Isn’t a U.S. Problem. It’s a Global Health Epidemic”. 15 June 2018.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolefisher/2018/06/15/suicide-isnt-a-u-s-problem-its-a global-health-epidemic/#70b5311222f7b

Giner, Lucas, Oquendo, Maria A., Schwartz-Lifshitz, Maya, Zalsman, Gil. “Can We Really

Prevent Suicide” Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2012 Dec; 14(6); 624-633. DOI: 10.1007IS11920-012-0318-3.https://www.ncbi.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc3492539/

Howard, Jacqueline. “The Risk of ‘Contagion’ After Suicides is Real”, CNN, 22 June 2018

            https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/09/health/suicide-contagion-explainer/index.html

Martin, Elliot B. Jr. “A Historical Perspective on Suicide”, V.35 I:7, 27 July, 2018.

            https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/suicide/historical-perspective-suicide

Prasad, Ritu. “Why U.S. Suicide Rate is on the Rise”, BBC News, 11 June 2018.

            https://www.BBC.com/news/world-us-canada-44416727

“Suicide Kills Three Times More People Than Road Traffic Accidents, We Urgently Need to

Act”, 9 January 2017,

 http://www.Samaritans.org

“Suicide Rising Across the U.S.”, Vital Signs, 11 June 2018.

http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/suicide/index.html

“Suicide Statistics”, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

            https://www.afsp.org/about-suicide-statistics/

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