Is Suicide Painless

By G

To borrow a well-known literary phrase, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” This week, in particular, we have experienced the worst of times.

Death is a part of the normal life cycle. However, unexpected, unplanned death is shocking. Death self-inflicted is tragic.

Our society this week experienced two such high profile tragic endings with Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Nobody knew, at least collectively as a society, the mental struggles these two talented people had in their lives. No, the vast majority would rather hear about some salacious tidbit from the bowels of the entertainment industry or continue to perpetuate false memes in the ether that only contributes to the destruction of the cultural fabric.

Along with these shocking deaths, we also learn this week that the suicide rate has gone up across the country. Increases from 6% to as high as 58%, in almost all of the states, (see Livescience.com). This, from data collected from 1999-2016. We have ignored the data of this obvious mental health crisis. The majority are not famous individuals, but they are just as tragic for the families involved. The ironic factor, however, is it only gathers the national headline because of the notoriety of Spade and Bourdain.

We seem to be at a crossroads in our culture and society. We are afraid to talk with one another, to be civil, to share constructive discourse. We have more in common than we have differences. In the end, we have the same goal as articulated by Ernest Hemingway, “The first and final thing you have to do in this world is to last it and not be smashed by it.”  Let’s reach out and help each other. Maybe we can avoid this pain and keep from getting smashed.


G is a 39-year veteran of the broadcast industry. Husband, father, grandfather, who cares deeply about his country, culture, and society. Sine Metu.