Watershed Voice columnist Amy Davidhizar writes about the recent tragedy that befell the Three Rivers community, and where we go from here.
Editor’s Note: This column makes reference to suicide and other issues related to mental health. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Text or call 988 to chat with someone now.
“Life and Death is Hard.” is written by Rock Island, Illinois native Aubrey Barnes, also known as “Aubs.” Barnes performed at the 2022 & 2023 Watershed Voice Artist Showcase in Three Rivers at the Huss Project.
A community event on suicide prevention will be held on Saturday, May 6 at Rouch World (63322 M-66) in Sturgis beginning at 11 a.m. Organized by the United Way and presented by the St. Joseph County Suicide Prevention Task Force, #BeHereTomorrow will feature keynote speaker Kevin Hines along with hayrides, bounce houses, food trucks, and resource tables.
Two recent Western Michigan University graduates have formed a support group for Spanish-speaking young adults who may be thinking about or have previously thought about suicide.
If you are Spanish-speaking and are roughly in the age group of 18 to 25, the group meets every Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Centerpoint City Church, 326 W. Cork St. in Kalamazoo.
Provisional data shows there were 1,282 suicide deaths in Michigan in 2020, according to a report by the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission. Compared to 2019, which had 1,471 suicides in Michigan, that number is lower, but the commission expects the 2020 data to increase as more suicide reports are finalized.
The U.S. had a mental health professional shortage before the pandemic, and Southwest Michigan was no exception. Every county in Southwest Michigan had been designated as a mental health professionals shortage area by the Healthcare Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
WSV’s Steph Hightree writes, “I am a big supporter of taking medication to help with one’s mental health and other health related issues. I wouldn’t be able to function without mine. But my daughter is feeling some shame with hers. She feels like something is wrong with her because she has to take medicine. So how do we end this stigma? Unfortunately society has not helped with this. Mental health is still not considered a health problem even though it has the word health right in its name. It is considered taboo to be depressed. People don’t like discussing or dealing with it. I’d like to end that now.”
WSV columnist and licensed psychotherapist Charles Thomas writes, “Sometimes, in the midst of a crisis, a tiny dose of compassion, and a little help keeping things in perspective can be very powerful medicine.”