What Could I Have Done?

To All Suicide Loss Survivors:

Suicide almost always raises agonizing questions among family members and friends left behind. “What did I miss?" “ What could I have done?” The answers are “NOTHING” and “NOTHING”.

Unfortunately, many suicides happen “out of the blue.” Suicide without warning is not uncommon.

Some people talk about wanting or planning to kill themselves or give other hints, but others do not. Some people who take their own lives have an identifiable mental health problem like depression or addiction, but others do not. The decision to die by suicide might be made just minutes or hours before that act.

What prompts a person to take his or her own life, in a moment, is unknown, as experts never get to speak with them.

A person is the only one who can 100% prevent his/her suicide. The idea of others preventing suicide is a possibility for which to strive. United2Prevent is a suicide prevention and awareness nonprofit organization founded in 2021 when there was a sharp increase in suicides in our local community. The board comprises community members, some of whom have lost loved ones to suicide. They understand the persisting pain that this loss brings. The mission of United2Prevent is to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges by increasing our community’s awareness, understanding, and knowledge of suicide so that people contemplating taking their own lives can be helped before they choose it as the solution to their suffering. Suicide is a permanent solution to what is likely a temporary and solvable problem. Those contemplating suicide need to know that they are not alone, and that help and solutions to their problems are available. Charlene Blache MD Board Chair United2Prevent