Facing the plague with compassion
It was not a surprise.
The two-column series we ran on suicide a week ago has produced a steady stream of responses.
Some correspondents asked the big question — why? — just as I did.
Others offered suggestions based on our society, giving possible reasons that young people might choose to take their own lives.
One important message came from Kevin Croffoot, who is as close to this tragic event as a person can ever get.
Here is an excerpt from his email …
“My son Austin was a CDA high school student last year,” Kevin wrote. “On June 4, my son took his own life here in Hayden.
“My son left me several notes and letters explaining the issues that kids were having these days. He was very clear on his and other kids’ views and struggles.
“Austin also requested that we help make change.”
If Kevin is still willing to share his son’s notes, we’ll follow up on it — and perhaps get a closer look at why a young man would choose to end his life while still a teenager.
I also received several messages from anonymous readers, people who either have lost a young person to suicide — or fear that they might.
The one constant running through these heartbreaking emails is the story of a son, daughter or relative who feels hopeless, as though the world has nothing to offer that would make it worthwhile to live.
Depression seems to be eating away at our youths.
Suicide, which too often follows that horrible depression, is the second-leading cause of death in the United States for the age group from 10 to 35.
And frighteningly, it is the only cause-of-death metric for any age group that is not going down.
THANKFULLY, there are survivors.
My friend Haylie Thompson is one of them, and I didn’t know it.
She’s now a married mom, but it turns out that she could have become one of those awful statistics.
Here is part of Haylie’s tale, which she shares to help her kids, Amelia and Aiden, along with everyone else …
“I have suffered from depression, and — gasp — thoughts of suicide more often than most know,” Haylie wrote.
“This is a subject near and dear to me. I am currently working on my depression and finally finding a happy place, but let me tell you: This is something I’ve dealt with for years. Years. Years. Since high school.
“I have track marks on my arms and legs for a reason. And I am open about them now because I want to save a life; because I want my kids to know it’s okay to be sad; because I never want my kids to feel so alone they can’t turn to someone.
“But that is only the depression side. The really scary side — the side that I pray no one gets to — is the side where it all seems bulls**t.
“Meaning, at one point in my life, I honestly just didn’t care. It wasn’t a pity party, it wasn’t anything, it was just …
“Why? What is the point?
“Not who is going to miss me, not that I’m worthless — just a deep sense of empty. It’s a scary place to be.”
Actually, it’s terrifying just to hear the story.
Somehow, we have to find a way inside this awful thing and, as Haylie says, save some lives.
We’re dealing with a plague, and we can’t let it keep running wild.
We have to learn to help.
All of us.
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Steve Cameron is a columnist for The Press.
A Brand New Day appears Wednesday through Saturday each week. Steve’s sports column runs on Tuesday.
Email: scameron@cdapress.com.
Twitter:@BrandNewDayCDA