I am writing this blog today with a heavy, heavy heart. In the past 20 years or so, suicide rates have raised 30 percent. 30 percent! What is going on in today's society that is so different than 25 or 30 years ago? Do the shifts in our society have a hand in the dramatic increase? Media outlet addictions, selfies, political wars, religious wars, more openly gay and lesbian teenagers, more labels such as 'transgender, pansexual, questioning, queer, asexual, demisexual, intersex' being added to our vocabularies, rise in crime rates, rise in divorce rates, and the list goes on and on as to how our society has changed. Are people overwhelmed with these changes- whether it being themselves who are the change or themselves who cannot accept the change? So many 'what ifs' but only one fact- there is a 30 percent increase in people taking their own lives.
Just this past week, two known celebrities took their own life: Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. Military veterans are killing themselves at a tragic rate of at least 20 suicides a day. Some would say to tell others to reach out if they feel suicidal to help prevent them from committing the irreversible act. Others would say that people who deal with depression and suicidal ideation are not in the mind set to reach out for help so the responsibility is on the friends and family to reach out to them- that sometimes the seemingly strongest and happiest people are dealing with inner demons on a daily basis. If that is the case, and I believe it is, then what can be done to save those lives? I wish I knew the answer.
Last night at 0130 hours, I received a call from an aunt calling on behalf of her brother and sister-in-law. Her nephew, 15 years old, had shot himself with a .22 hand gun while his parents were out of town. His 22 year old brother held him in his arms until the police arrived. We get these calls too often. We want to be the company that is called to help because we got into this business to help others, but hate what happened and it lays heavy on our hearts. After responding once the police cleared the scene, the coroner came and left, and when the family was ready for us to arrive, we took care of the scene so when the parents came home from their trip there would be no traces of the saddening, heartrending event.
This I am sure upset you to read, however this is what we do on a daily basis. We work with families who are going through such horrific times, and our hearts are always 100 percent with the family to help ease even just an ounce of their stress and pain. Something as simple as us calling in the claim to their home owner's insurance for the family relieves them of one less task to take on when dealing with such an unexpected heartbreak. Bio-One is always here to help. Arriving when wanted, working professionally and proficiently, expressing compassion and a shoulder to cry on if needed, and following up afterwards, we, Bio-One STC, make a difference. This morning we made a small difference to a family who fell victim to suicide, and that small difference is the reason we do what we do- Help First, Business Second.
