#SameHere The Global Mental Health Movement reposted this
Non-Profit Founder: #SameHere Global • Keynote Speaker • Mental Health Advocate • Pro Sports Team/League Consultant • 🎙Podcast Co-Host: We’re All A Little “Crazy” • Author
Sports world meets mental health, meets suicide prevention: The way we talk about, & report on suicide has got to change. There are two scenarios right now that are setting us back: 1) what’s customary when authorities find someone who has tragically passed, where they believe it was suicide, the term isn’t brought up, no cause of death is discussed, & you mostly just hear “not foul play is suspected.” 2) what is the norm when authorities believe it’s not suicide, is to say: “suicide has been ruled out as a possible cause.” Neither of these approaches are helpful. In the first case, I understand the sensitivity, but when we hear “no foul play” - where does everyone’s mind go? Right to possible suicide. Getting texts & DMs on this all the time after stories break, the notes are similar to: “looks like another tragic one”…&..”what else could it have been?” So, we are doing ourselves no favors by believing we are protecting the deceased & their families, by covering up the possible cause of death. Because of how secretly it’s talked about - the perception is - it must be a shameful thing if they AREN’T discussing it. And as we can see what happened these past few days with Rachel Minaya (wife of Omar from the New York Mets & now New York Yankees & mother of Justin, from the Trail Blazers, & Teddy)- this possible cause of death is shamed so much, that when it’s at first NOT suspected, the papers rush out & say “it does not appear to be a suicide.” We do not report this way w ANY other cause of death. The end result of all of this is - suicide is looked at as a shameful act. “Committing” something, like we have been trying to move away from for so long. And all this current way does is prevent future help seeking as folks ponder - “I must be doing something BAD for these thoughts to be in my head, & I’m gonna be judged for sharing.” This, as opposed to the reality - suicidal thoughts are like a heart attacks of the nervous system. They happen TO people - just like cancer & diabetes. We are missing the mark. As for the shirt I’m wearing in this video, thanks to Shauna Griffiths for starting your #LeadershipAthlete initiative, & honored share your message as we get these messages out about mental health (I’ll take a size larger next time ;)). #SameHere #5in5 #BeHereTomorrow #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #mentalhealth #reporting #linkedinsports