Virtual mental health and wellness symposium
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – In honor of suicide prevention month (September), the Alachua County Crisis Center invites residents to a virtual mental health and wellness symposium from Sept. 16-18, 2024. The symposium is in the evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. It is free to the public. Those interested are encouraged to register online by Sept. 15 and attend the online sessions that interest them most. Students who attend the symposium may receive a certificate of attendance to confirm their participation.
“Writing Our Own Stories of Wellness and Healing” is the theme of this year’s annual symposium. The symposium is a means to reach and support the community near and far. Often, people outside of the mental health field encounter misinformation or advice regarding mental health that is inaccurate. This symposium features mental health professionals and paraprofessionals to share their experiences and expertise with participants. The symposium is not intended to replace counseling or therapy services.
Suicide doesn’t stop the pain, it just shifts it to those who loved you. Doctors and health care workers have a much higher rate of death by suicide than the general population. And it’s worse for female physicians. Much worse. September 17 is Physician Suicide Awareness Day. To learn more visit the nonprofits DoctorLifeline.org, and DrLornaBreen.org.
Your reference to “the pain” suggests it is common – routine – and ordinary (transferrable?); what’s more, it appears you are implying those suffering from suicidal ideations – and those who unfortunately succeed with their intentions, do so fully conceding their suffering will be passed on. I submit the opposite is more accurate; those who succumb to mental anguish associated with suicidal ideation wish to completely remove, abolish, and destroy those unique and specific thoughts and feelings – forever – from everyone affected. The loved ones – yes, profoundly affected, do not know “the pain” of the suicide victim.
Last. Doctors and healthcare workers are part of and belong to the general population. I argue those of us suffering, no matter occupation, gender, or socio-economic status experience similar thought patterns; we need to look at this widespread illness singularly. Ask and you will see, that female physicians succumb for the same reasons male truck drivers do; suffering is suffering.
I believe at least these two things about Dr. Reid’s comments. (1) I believe his statement is to and somewhat of a thought-provoking insight to a living person who may be contemplating suicide. It lets them know they are loved, and their loved ones would suffer terrible pain if they were to be left behind due to the self-inflicted or any other means of death of that loved one. Therefore, Dr. Reids comments could be a deterrent to the commission of suicide by those who love and care about others, especially those who they are close to. (2) In addition, Dr. Reid’s quote of statistics for medical professionals cannot reasonably be construed as not understanding that anyone professions is more profound, different, or important than any other. I believe he was just sharing an important detailed little-known statistic on a segment of society most people are unaware of. We do not typically think of our medical practitioners as people who themselves get sick because they always seem to be available when we need them, even sometimes when they are sick themselves. Let’s cut the doctor some slack and appreciate the knowledge and insight shared with us.