Beth’s Bits
BETH SPARROW
National Suicide Prevention Week is September 4-10. Now most people think they are never going to know anyone who committed suicide. You think most of your friends and family are generally happy, well rounded people. Well, I thought that too, up until September 2018 when my first cousin (Todd Allison) passed away of suicide. He was a lawyer, age 49 and was a friendly, happy Christian guy. He was “literally” the last guy I thought would do this.
He went “missing” on Tuesday, September 4, 2018. I remember it well when my cousin (his sister) called me to tell me this. I figured he was missing because he was climbing some mountain and they couldn’t get a hold of him. He was an outdoor guy, always doing stuff like that. No, that wasn’t it.
Well I prayed like crazy that he was alive, and they would find him lying somewhere alive and just unconscious. Thursday September 6th they found him at 2 in the afternoon. No foul play was indicated. It was suicide.Fordaysandweeks,thoughts went through my head of how could a guy like this take his own life. He had four beautiful children, the oldest had just gotten married, and he had a full life ahead of him. I still don’t understand it. I think the devil got a hold of him for a little bit.
So please check in on everyone you know. You never know when this might be the last time to give them a hug. If you yourself are feeling suicidal, PLEASE get help. Your loved ones (and if you think you don’t have any, you are kidding yourself; everyone has at least a few loved ones) will help you.
There is a NEW suicide hotline, three easy numbers to remember, 988. When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary.
I’m going to leave you with these last words that my cousin, Todd would say “I am going to take the hike, catch the fish, eat the dessert and hug everyone every time a hug is called for.”
Beth Sparrow is co-owner of the Polk County News.
