Suicide survivor speaks on removing the stigma surrounding mental health
Many talk about depression and loneliness during the holiday season, but experts say spring is when self harm spikes.
Suicide and suicidal ideation are tough to talk about for some and getting help has a massive negative stigma in several communities. That’s why mental health experts say men of color are particularly put off on the idea of getting help.
The quality of mental health care and treatments have gotten increasingly better over the years, but for men, especially Black men, the fear of being seen as weak or broken is as bad as ever.
It doesn’t have to be that way, experts said.
Eric Walker said he wants to shed the stigma.
“I could not escape the heaviness that I was feeling. That’s where I got to a dark place and attempted suicide,” said Walker, an advocate for mental health living in the Tennessee Valley who works with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
For him, it felt like a living hell on Earth. The nightmare Walker found himself trapped in, thinking and believing, there was no way out.
“I didn’t realize how much people would have missed me had I been gone. It makes me emotional just talking about it,” said Walker.
More than 20 years later, he remembers exactly where his head was at that time.
“I equate it to being like Iron Man. You have the suit of iron. You’re looking heroic and people never know what you deal with,” said Walker.
He struggled in silence. As a Black man, asking for help and getting therapy was not the norm.
“In life, asking for help or even mentioning that I was feeling sad or even wanting to cry or show some type of emotion, just wasn’t something we do in our culture and just as men,” said Walker.
Psychotherapist Choya Wise said Walker’s experience is reflective of many.
“The mere fact that most suicides occur by men or most suicides happen through with men being the ones to commit suicide is a reflection that there’s a problem that exists,” said Wise.
According to Johns Hopkins University, suicide rates spike in the spring.
“When I look at the moment I was at my worst was actually in the spring. When I went through my attempt. Spring. It was not winter,” said Walker.
In April, May, and June, researchers said suicide rates can be two to three times higher than in December when rates are actually the lowest.
“Apparently right now there is no clear rationale why this happens,” said Wise.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 50,000 people died by suicide last year. Suicide among men, regardless of race, is four times higher than women.
Having the conversation is uncomfortable for many, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Meesha Emmett with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention said context is key.
“We don’t say committed suicide, because it implies judgment you know,” said Emmett.
The non-profit just launched a new suicide prevention program called “L.E.T.S” – “Listening, Empathy, Trust, and Support” for the Black community.
“Understanding that different cultures have different needs and different obstacles to overcome,” said Emmett.
Walker wishes this initiative was around during his struggle. He wants others to look at him as living proof that there is a way out and a reason to live another day.
“People love you and they will miss you. So definitely get the help you need,” said Walker.
Silent Struggle: Suicide survivor, removing the stigma surrounding mental health, Black men
