Stephen tWitch Boss (Photo Facebook).
Many were shocked to learn about the deaths of well-known individuals like Stephen Laurel “tWitch” Boss, a So You Think You Can Dance dancer, judge, and DJ on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, who died by suicide.
It left people wondering how someone who appeared so happy could take his own life, leaving behind a beautiful family. This shock echoed when attorney, former Miss USA, activist and entertainment news correspondent Cheslie Kryst and Ian King Jr., son of Academy Award–winning actress Regina King, also took their own lives.
Suicide is the deliberate and voluntary act of taking one’s own life.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown increased suicides from 2021 to 2022, with a notable increase among African American or Black individuals, particularly in the 25-44 age group.
Even with the rise of Black people dying by suicide, the actual rate of increase is unknown, given the improper reporting of such deaths.
According to the Scientific American, “Disparities in death investigations of Black people also relate to the absence of suicide notes.” A 2018 study on data from the National Violent Death Reporting System found that a fifth of Black Americans who die by suicide leave notes, compared with a third of white Americans.”
So, of All Coping Mechanisms, Why Do People Choose Suicide?
Extreme sadness and the pursuit of comfort cause people to seek relief through various means, such as increased alcohol consumption, drug use, careless sexual activities, overeating, overspending or excessive exercising. Other people indulge in self-harming activities like burning, cutting or even starving themselves in hopes of experiencing instant euphoria to escape their emotional pain temporarily.
To end it all seems so easy because living through the pain appears unbearable.
For those in deep suffering, the perception of suicide is that it’s a door that provides instant relief from the woes of life. When it feels like there is no escape, unchanging circumstances become suffocating. When no one understands, it’s easy for suicidal thoughts to ease in.
Yet, it’s imperative to recognize those feelings and be honest about them.
12 Practical Ways to Help Prevent Suicidal Thoughts*
- Avoid or limit time spent on social media.
- Speak with a mental health professional.
- Consider medication if prescribed by a healthcare provider.
- Surround yourself with supportive family and friends.
- Attend church or a spiritual service if that provides comfort.
- Seek out a support group to connect with others who may share similar experiences.
- Engage in prayer and meditation to find solace.
- Practice deep breathing and positive affirmations.
- Establish a routine that includes exercise and intentional socialization.
- Declutter your living space and keep it clean and organized.
- Don’t be ashamed to express how you feel openly.
- Know that you are not alone and help is closer than you think!
Remember that struggling is not a solitary experience, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Resources are available to provide support if you or someone you know is in crisis. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime to contact a trained crisis counselor. For confidential support available 24/7 for everyone in the U.S., call or text 988 chat at 988lifeline.org, or visit https://go.usa.gov/xyxGa.
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