SUICIDE: It has a human face

I am wondering why a man can tell someone he knows that he is going to kill himself and then goes out and does it. Recently a man told his friends he was going to do this. Why do we never hear about these faceless people?

Mental illness is that. People with mental illness have faces. They have lives. Families. Friends.

It’s an illness that needs to be addressed so people can get help. If it keeps getting swept under the carpet, then how will others get help? What about the family… people around them… friends. Why is there nothing in the paper? Why was no one called? Police, anyone. He was a person. Had friends. But now he is gone.

I am not writing this to hurt his family. I am writing this because if someone had called anyone (police, hospital, fire department, a parent or friend), he may still be here. Yes mostly angry — but still here.

CINDY WALL

Kootenai County