Depression is Not a Character Flaw
Her suicide attempts put her on a dangerous path
My wife and I received a call one evening when our friend’s sister had attempted suicide. We went to the emergency room to find Ann (all the names have been changed to protect identities) lying in a hospital bed. The pills she had taken had not quite taken her life. Our friend Sue and her husband Mike were there along with Ann’s husband. This was not her first suicide attempt and it would not be her last.
My wife gave all the assurances that she could that she was always available if another crisis arose. In fact, if Ann just needed someone to talk to, she was available.
One day, a year or so later, Ann called her church to speak to a pastor. After she poured out her heart to him, she asked him to tell her husband and children that she loved them.
He picked up on the cue, called the police and raced over to the house. When he arrived the police were outside. They told him that there was no answer and they heard no noise from inside. He ran to the back door and broke it down. This time the gun Ann used left no room for error.
The Funeral
At the funeral, the pastor repeatedly shared all the good about Ann, her service to the church and community and about her struggles with…
