June 14, 2018

Regarding news of recent suicides…

A note from our Research Director

It has not been a good week. I, like most people, was beyond shocked when I learned the news of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain who died by suicide this past week. We also learned that the suicide rate has risen nationwide and that in the State of Michigan, it has gone up by over 30% in the past decade. 

Suicide is a complex and often incomprehensible act that elicits anguish and pain for years. It is hard to talk about it, hard to explain, and from the grim statistics, it is hard to prevent. Depression is a common thread in those who die by suicide and depression seeps into the souls of the survivors who live with the “whys,” “what ifs” and “if onlys."

What can we do?  

The national media has paid attention to these recent suicides and several well written articles are easily accessible. A recent New York Times article, "What to Do When a Loved One Is Severely Depressed," provides well-rounded advice for approaching a loved one with depression. 

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK) 

There are many resources available for suicide prevention.

The University of Michigan Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center has developed a toolkit that provides strategies for management of depression and bipolar disorder.    

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Melvin G. McInnis, M.D., FRCPsych
Research Director, Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program
Thomas B. and Nancy Upjohn Woodworth Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression
Professor of Psychiatry