That's what my mom's death certificate says. Sometimes I ponder on this and I wonder if that's what life amounts to -- a cold, clinical sentence on a government form. When the sun sets and the curtain closes, we become short stories. We become words on a page.
But this post isn't about that. Maybe we'll save that existential crisis for another time. Tonight, I'm fixated on the gravitational heft of a loaded firearm, because the statistics around suicide seem to confirm one idea:
you pull the trigger, but the trigger pulls you too.
There is a silent epidemic of gun violence in our nation, and it conceals itself in bedrooms and among the hushed conversations of traumatized family members. Beyond the drug-related shoot-outs and the accidental misfires, we have missed an entire world of victims -- those who commit suicide with a bullet.
I can already hear the clamor of objections in my head. "If a person wants to commit suicide, they'll find a way!"... right? Well, the facts seem to indicate otherwise. Studies show that firearms present a uniquely convenient method for self-harm, and in the absence of this opportunity, at least some people will choose to not go through with it at all.
Simply put, gun control has the capacity to save the lives of those who have suicidal thoughts.
There are many readers who will vehemently refuse to believe this idea no matter the evidence, and this phenomenon itself is a tragedy. In the last several years, our nation has faced a crisis wherein people believe their own imaginations before they believe the work of scholars or journalists. I pinpoint the racist birther movement (AKA "Obama is a muslim foreigner") with the rise of this mindset. That movement was the beginning of the end for critical thinking.
One would be wise to tread carefully anytime the words "I imagine..." could be used to support your case. (I imagine) a mass shooter will always find a way to inflict harm. (I imagine) that a suicidal person will go through with it no matter what. (I imagine) that Sandy Hook was a false flag operation. Ideas lacking in evidence are products of your imagination -- you must recognize that to embrace any semblance of rational thought.
But I digress. The facts seem to indicate that the specter of suicide is aggravated by the presence of firearms -- so what do we do about that? Well, other countries have seen a marked decline in suicides by gun after enacting stricter legislative controls on firearms, but that seems to be a totally lost cause in our country. If the myriad of violence we've witnessed hasn't moved our leaders, nothing will.
In essence, we have to be the change. We have to take action.
Our government won't protect us or preserve us; we must act on our own. The need for family intervention is critical -- if you detect that someone in your life may be in danger of harming themselves, do something about it. It's unfortunate that both mental health and gun ownership are such sensitive topics, because they intersect in such a tragic and profound way. Nonetheless, we must have the courage to approach this issue with compassionate and proactive dialogue.
If you know someone who may be at risk for suicidal behaviors, and they have easy access to a firearm, talk to them. Ask them if they need help finding psychiatric services, or ask if they think their firearm should be temporarily locked up or taken away. Offer to meet up with them regularly to talk about their struggles. Encourage honesty and transparency regarding self-harm. Do not let the awkwardness of the moment overtake the urgent need for action.
We may not be able to change the world, but we can change our world. With open, observant eyes and a willingness to speak up, we can prevent another life from being lost. The dire state of our surroundings and the tragedies of yesterday beg us with two simple words -- do something.
Thank you for reading On Letting Go, a blog about dealing with the wounds of the past. If you're looking for a little background on what inspired this blog, check out the introduction. Click here for information on how you can find real and qualified mental health services for yourself or a loved one.
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