No Shame

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
I listen to a lot of NPR during the day. Since I work from home 95% of the time, it doesn't bother anyone that my podcasts or music are constantly streaming in the background. Plus it keeps me company - the Boogie Dog may be good company, but he's a poor conversationalist.

One of my favorite hosts is Tell Me More's Michel Martin. I don't always agree with her, but I think she's an honest journalist, and I enjoy her interviews and commentary. So I was saddened to learn that the reason she's not been on the air lately is due to the recent suicide of her brother, Norman McQueen Jr.

Ms. Martin chose to record a commentary on her experience, and it made me think. She commented that the reason she chose to comment publicly on her brother's death was because she felt she had nothing to be ashamed of - her brother was a decent and kind individual, and the circumstances that led to his death did not reflect poorly on him, and in fact, reflected positively on his life and work.

Amen, sister.

I've never lost anyone close to me to suicide. I have no emotional point of reference to this horrifying experience, although I can try to empathize with the grief, the helplessness, and yes, the anger. But one thing I do know is that there should be no shame. The despair required for someone to actively believe the world (and your family) would be better off without you points directly to the underlying fact of suicide - it's the eventual outcome of severe mental illness. It's not weakness, or selfishness - it's mental illness. And mental illness isn't shameful, any more than cancer is.

While I do have some pretty strong opinions about self-determination, especially as it relates to health care, I have to believe that safe, effective treatment for the underlying mental illness is preferable to this outcome.

My sympathy to Ms. Martin and her family, and the hope that, eventually, people will be able to seek and receive effective, timely treatment for the underlying cause of suicide.

1 comments:

Keith Wilson said...

I listen to that show everyday on the way home from work, thanks for filling in what happened to her, I was wondering as well - too many guest hosts on lately.