Don’t mess with Robin
Time Magazine published an article yesterday linking suicide increases with Robin Williams’ death. Robin Williams was (and still is) a hero to so many of us living with bipolar, and we’re all protective of his legacy. Unfortunately, the article appears to have confused a spike in suicides with a spike in reported suicides. The corrected title wouldn’t be as catchy, I get it, but as it stands, the wording is both flawed and dangerous.
Let’s skip the obvious moral quagmire of reporting about a study on suicides -that suggests reporting on suicides leads to more suicides. There’s something more important going on here.
The CDC data shows 11.8% of overdoses are ‘intentional’; cases listed as suicide. But… a study of over 184,000 calls received by poison centers found 66% involved signs of intent to commit suicide. That’s six times higher than the CDC estimate. You may have heard stats about suicide being the 2nd leading cause of death for various age groups. Well guess what ranks number one?
You got it, Unintentional Injury:
Stats aside, there are strict constraints for coroners reporting suicides. The intent has to be absolutely certain, i.e. wrote a note, was not under the influence at the time, etc. When you consider the financial and emotional consequences to the family of the deceased, the incentives for determining intent, liability and otherwise, are pretty obvious.
The fact we use the word “commit” speaks volumes.
Now, I know the plural of anecdote is not evidence, but I meet a LOT of people who survived attempts, got treatment, and went on to lead great lives in my line of work. I’ve heard their stories, and if they had completed on their first attempts, not many would meet the criteria to have been declared intentional.
Back to stats, the description of the article: “Suicides in the U.S. increased by 10% in the four months after Robin Williams’ 2014 death by suicide, a new study says”.
You know what I say?
Bullshit.
I’m not great at math, but I know you can’t determine a percentage increase without knowing your starting value. Given the uncertainty around intent, it seems a little overreaching to declare a specific percentage increase in actual suicide deaths. Again, reported suicides I buy, accurate numbers on actual deaths? Not so much.
Regardless, the classification of intent shouldn’t be what we are focused on at all. The question isn’t whether they died from an intentional or an unintentional injury. The question is, with 90% of all suicides being related to brain disorders (mental illness), how is it that bipolar, depression, post-traumatic stress, mood disorders, behavioral disorders, or hell, even a catch all classification for mental illness… How is it possible that none of these are on the list of causes?
Try and figure this one out: A study out of the University of Oxford shows people with bipolar have 9 - 20 year shorter lifespans, but, according to the CDC’s ‘National Vital Statistics Reports’ nobody dies from it.
The point is this — The article has a clear message: Do not talk about suicide. It is contagious. It is infectious. It is that-which-must-not-be-named.
One little problem, though. If people in crisis can’t say its name, they can’t ask for help. If they don’t get help, a lot of them are going to die.
I’ll leave you with this: Remember the scene in Dead Poets Society where Robin Williams kneels down, and with all the students huddled around he recites,
“That you are here — that life exists, and identity; that the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.”
I can’t help but wonder if Robin Williams’ final verse was a clear cause of death. And that maybe, for a short period of time, we glimpsed the true nature of the devastation caused by brain disorders as a result. We acknowledged it, we called it by its name.
So, Time Magazine, let me suggest an alternative title:
Millions Living With Brain Disorder Still Inspired By Robin Williams
For the four months after Robin Williams’ 2014 death by suicide, the U.S. gave suicide and brain health the focus they deserve. Renowned journalists are now intent to bring that focus back.
Want to know the best part? That title would save lives, intentionally.
As always, would love to hear your thoughts! If this resonates with you, please share and expand the conversation; if not, please share and expand the conversation. :-)
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If you need help or someone to talk to who understands call 800–273–8255 or go to https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
