PAX Centurion - May / June 2015

Page 50 • PAX CENTURION • June/July 2015 617-989-BPPA (2772) A LMOST EVERY FAMILY has experi- enced the pain and tragedy of suicide by a family member or friend. All of us, at some point in time, feels down, depressed, lonely and has feelings that amount to “maybe the world would be better off without me.” Remember this: suicide is a permanent solu- tion to temporary problems. No matter how bad things seem, all problems are temporary. And the guilt that family and friends are left with is often crippling. Many a family member is left with languishing thoughts about whether they could have or should have done something differently to prevent the loved one’s suicide. No matter how bad things seem at any point time: 1.) DON’T and 2.) CALLA FRIEND OR A FAMILYMEMBER. The BPD Stress Unit is available 24/7/365. Suicide is preventable. It Suicide prevention By Jim Carnell, Pax Editor is NOT embarrassing or humiliating to have feelings of depression; it happens to the best of us. On the wall in my office, I have several photos of recent BPD suicide victims who were friends or I knew from around the department. If I had only known then… I should have said something…Those are the feelings of guilt we are left with. It’s been said that if Pat was able to see all the people who cared about him at this event, he’d have never been the guest of honor, and there would have been no rea- son to have a time. Problems are temporary. Suicide is permanent. This job isn’t worth it, but your family and friends are….