KEET-TV Invites You to Screening/Discussion of ‘Facing Suicide’ on November 10th
This is a press release from KEET-TV:
KEET-TV invites you to an online screening a panel discussion of the ½ hour film Facing Suicide on November 10th online at 6 p.m. Journalist, film producer, and director, Linda Stansberry will lead a discussion with Lea Nagy, President of the National Alliance of Mental Illness of Humboldt (NAMI), Rob England with United Indian Health Services, and others working to prevent suicide. You can go to KEET.org to register.
Each year, tens of thousands of Americans take their own lives—there were more than 45,000 deaths by suicide in 2020 alone—and many more have thoughts of suicide. Facing Suicide, a new documentary and impact campaign from Twin Cities PBS explores the stories of Americans impacted by suicide, and journeys to the frontlines of medical and scientific research to meet those who are working to help people at risk. Timely and informative, the project aims to elevate and destigmatize the topic of suicide, empowering audiences and communities with prevention strategies.
At its center is Facing Suicide, a compelling documentary narrated by Josh Charles (The Good Wife. The film shares the deeply personal stories of those directly affected by suicide and insights from experts and researchers who are making a difference. A companion digital series, released on the PBS YouTube channel, works to create a space of understanding, hope, and action for young people whose lives have been touched by suicide. In addition, PBS stations in ten states around the country will provide local coverage and resources to engage their communities around this critical public health issue.
“Suicide touches virtually every demographic group in the U.S., and rates have increased significantly since the late 1990s,” said Michael Rosenfeld, project lead and executive producer of the Facing Suicide documentary. “But experts have learned a lot about suicide in the past few years, offering insights that suggest new strategies for prevention. We explore the latest discoveries in our film, woven together with inspiring stories of hope and recovery.”
“Our mission at PBS is to serve communities with the stories and programs that help drive dialogues and engagement around critical issues impacting the nation,” said Bill Gardner, Vice President, Multiple Platform Programming and Development at PBS. “Facing Suicide is a program we believe will accomplish this as its subject is pertinent as our nation addresses an unprecedented mental health crisis. To help, we are also distributing content from this program across multiple platforms, including PBS Digital Studios, to reach various audiences with customized content.”
“One of the best ways to prevent suicide is to promote awareness and equip friends and family to take appropriate action to help those in need,” said Kathryn Washington, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) ‘s Senior Vice President of Television Content. “By funding the documentary and grants to PBS stations to create suicide prevention initiatives, we hope to destigmatize the topic of suicide and engage and support communities around this critical public health issue.”
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Let’s not forget that 22 of our veterans commit suicide daily…
Absolutely! I come from a military family. My father is a veteran, 2 of my brothers are veterans and my son just re-enlisted. We send our men off to fight for our country and then turn our backs on them when they come home. Its a very sad situation that needs to be addressed immediately. And yet we have been having this conversation for decades. The stigma of needing or wanting help in our enlisted people needs to stop. They can’t tell them they need counseling because they will be discharged from the service if they really need help. So they have to be stoic and it’s straight bullshit! Our service members need help! We spend all this money to train them but can’t spend much if any when they come home from war! It’s a travesty…
If they could make mental health services available at no costs to those in an emergency that would help. Unfortunately it seems there are not enough mental health providers. One thing many people forget is the mental health providers are just people like you and I. I have had two counselors quit on me in the last year. Not me personally but they were my counselors and they quit working for the company they were working for. It’s overwhelming them I believe.
Also, hospice has no counselors available for the family members. People that are really struggling to help other people in their last days and yet there is no counseling available. Very sad. They just don’t have any providers to do it.
If any of you reading this are thinking all these people needing counseling just need to get a grip on reality, I’d suggest you get some counseling as well.
Anyone wondering what they want to do in life for a profession this is the field to get into. I’ll guarantee you’ll have job security. No joke, as sad as it is.
People are hurting on this planet. Our county especially is hurting. Not to mention our country! County wide services are unavailable. I’ve been on a wait list for a counselor for months! I was told when I signed up it would be a week wait. A month later they lost a counselor, I was told then they had no idea when it would be. I’m hearing stories like this everywhere. Many people are in a very, very sad state of mind.
A month after my son killed himself I got a call from social services telling me they had approved his med-i-cal. That poor guy wasn’t ready to talk to me! It was very upsetting for them to do that. They knew he had died and how he had died! So I think a letter would of been better. Especially for the poor guy from social services. I hope he passed my thoughts along to the appropriate people. I hope I didn’t traumatize him with my anguish, I sincerely do. You just can’t call up a grieving momma and tell her, “ hey that insurance your son wanted, that we would never approve for him, we just approved it so any bills he might of incurred over the last 6 months are covered”. F*^k! He just wanted some counseling! I could cuss up a storm here! But there is no point!
If you’ve read this far, please be kind in any responses. I’m struggling hard core right now. Probably the only reason I’m even commenting on this article.
The stigma around mental health needs to stop! Not everyone has the same brain capacity to deal with trauma in life. They just don’t. Many won’t even seek help, so for gods sake let’s help the ones that do!
Sitting here teary eyes and sending you whatever comfort comes from knowing someone in your community hears your pain and wishes we were so much better as a society.
I’m sorry Kym. I don’t want to make you cry. I don’t want to make anyone cry. I reread what I wrote and started crying again myself. I wish so much that things were different. I really hope our society can step up and change the way we treat our people that are struggling. Most of these people are educated contributing members of our society. When they struggle we just need to help them. One of the biggest things we can do is to bring mental health discussions public and treat them like they have a treatable illness not like they are unworthy of help. No one should feel shame for needing help! Ever! Thank you for your comment my friend. Thank you for being a stellar human being in all ways. You are so very appreciated by so, so many, myself included of course. I truly appreciate your genuine concern. I love you. Much love to you and yours.
One day we will recognize that the brain is an organ like any other.
Even saying “mental health” will be obscure, as it will just be part of your “health” as any other.
There is truly a lack of services locally and beyond, it’s atrocious, but the way it is nonetheless.
Stick around. You never know who you’ll make smile the next day.
My very best wishes, hopes and thoughts to you.
You aren’t alone.
I hope this is not propaganda against death with dignity. Also, forcing anyone to take drugs that cause neurological damage such as tardive dyskinesia who are not a harm to the community instead of talking to them is a human rights violation.