Male Depression and Suicide

We are privileged to have this article on male depression and suicide by Cheryl Ronzoni from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention which we hope will help many families coping with the loss of their husband, brother, son, uncle, grandfather or any  male relative or friend.

Loss of loved ones or friends is devastating regardless of the manner in which the person has passed away. For those who are left behind grieving a suicide, the pain is often magnified by shock, trauma and survivor's guilt. While suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for teens and young adults, the highest rate of death by suicide are for men between the ages of 45 and 64 years old, followed immediately by men 65 and older, according to United States 2010 statistics.  

If you are a family member or a friend of a man who has died by suicide or has tried to take his life, you are in deep grief and disbelief.  The reason for a suicide, for men or women, is not always clear. Families are typically unprepared and stunned by the sudden loss, feeling guilty for "not seeing the signs." For many, signs were not necessarily apparent. For those loved ones who have witnessed depression or changes in a father or husband's behavior, they often try with best intentions to intervene but the mental and emotional pain is often more than he could bear.

Middle Aged Men Are Reluctant to Seek Help for Depression

Men in the 45-64 year old age group, which includes the baby boomer generation, are not always keen to seek help for depression or may suffer from an undiagnosed mental illness. Loss of employment, the ending of a marriage or relationship, a chronic illness or the death of a loved one can cause some men to feel despair with an unwillingness to see a doctor or therapist.

Caught between the masculine generation of World War II veterans who would never admit weakness and the more open and expressive generation of their sons, middle-aged men often find themselves skeptical of seeking help for fear of being portrayed as weak or mentally unstable.

Suicide Survivor’s Guilt

When we lose the man in our life to suicide, our lives are turned upside down and as a wife, a parent, a child or grandchild, we may not know where to begin to help ourselves and other family members. While it is often easier said then done, do not blame yourself. Your loved one's decision to take his life was not made to hurt his family; his mental state told him he needed or wanted to be free of his emotional or physical pain. If you are struggling with immense survivor's guilt or severe depression, consider talking to a medical professional or therapist who will be able to help you. 

Suicide Stats Show You Are Not Alone

While suicide has received much more media attention in recent years and is more openly discussed, some people still associate a stigma to this manner of death.

First and foremost - know you are NOT ALONE. In the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 40,000 deaths by suicide in 2012. Those individuals have left countless family members and friends to mourn their loss. Chances are relatively high you know of someone who has lost a loved one in a similar manner but you may not be aware of it because they seldom speak of it.

Financial and Other Legal Problems after a Suicide

Along with the emotional anguish associated with such a loss, your loved one may have been your family's main or sole provider, bringing a potential financial hardship to those he left behind. A family may not be entitled to anticipated life insurance benefits after a suicide or the deceased may have left behind unexpected debts that are now the responsibility of a spouse or surviving children.

Suicide and Grieving

Most people mean well when a person loses a loved one to suicide, but they may not know exactly what to say to ease your pain and feel they need to come up with the perfect words. Let them know that is not your expectation; you just want someone to listen and maybe even just to sit with you. 

Occasionally you will encounter relatives, friends and colleagues who may avoid you temporarily because they are at a loss for words and do not want to risk making you feel worse. You may face others who are insensitive and say things or ask questions that are upsetting to you and your family. This is not uncommon, but don't feel you have to engage them.

It should become apparent early on after your loved one's passing who you will be able to lean on for support. Sometimes we are surprised by someone we may not have expected to be there to comfort us, other times we are disappointed by someone close who is unable or unwilling to provide empathy and support.

Suicide Bereavement Support

 If your family members or friends cannot relate to your particular loss, there are many families who know exactly what you are going through. They may be in your neighborhood or on another continent. Here are a few suggestions on how to find assistance and comfort during your grief if you have lost a man in your life to suicide:

•    Seek out bereavement support, specifically for suicide. In the United States, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides lists of bereavement support groups across the nation. You can visit the website at www.afsp.org

•    Connect online and/or in person with others suffering from a loss of someone from suicide. Alliance for Hope offers online forums, blog posts and other resources for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. www.allianceofhope.org

The loss of a man in our life to suicide is one of the most traumatic things that could ever happen to us. The most difficult part of life is facing the death of those we love. While life will never again be the "normal" you knew once before, with the help and support of family members, friends, support groups and clinicians, you can and will learn to adapt to a "new normal" that will eventually help you move forward and focus on those who survive with you.

Cheryl Ronzoni sits on the Springfield Walk Committee for the Western MA Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Recommended Read: 

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Related Pages: 

Elder Suicide and How to Prevent It

How to Cope with Suicide Survivor's Grief

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