The shocking and tragic news of the passing of Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss has been utterly heartbreaking. This loss is hitting us hard. tWitch was such a bright light and was so helpful to us, especially during the pandemic. We always shared his dance parties with his family on social media and in our weekly email newsletters. tWitch’s creativity and energy lifted our spirits, motivated and inspired us. We are holding his family and loved ones close in our hearts and have resources listed below for those who may be struggling.
Too often, tragedies like this are front and center in the media and social media for a short time and then lose their place in the news cycle until the next tragedy happens. These celebrity deaths highlight the suicide crisis that happens every day in the United States. The statistics are staggering. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the age-adjusted suicide rate in 2020 for the United States was 13.48 per 100,000 individuals. In 2020, men died by suicide 3.88x more than women.
Journalistic guidelines are clear on how suicide should be reported, yet, quite often, the media focuses on sensationalized details, such as how the suicide was completed, whether there was a note or not, rather than mourning the loss of an icon and working towards education and adequate mental health care.
The flawless world we envision, with no suicide, with every member of society feeling embraced and understood, is possible, but, it requires every single one of us to make change. Educated awareness and action is what we need. The simple understanding that the brain is an organ in our body like every other organ and should be treated the same as any physical health issue. We all need to be working towards the common goal of a mentally healthy nation, providing resources, tools, and hope for those who need it, when they need it. Mental health challenges need to be addressed early on as prevention is key.
Talking about suicide can be hard, especially when the media is using misguided language in their reporting. It’s no question that this is a public health epidemic, with suicide rates increasing in recent years. The question, then, lies in how to move forward. We need to be more authentic with each other and highlight stories of hope and recovery. If we do this we can inspire those who are struggling to know they are not alone and they can get through this. We all need to get involved in sourcing solutions by volunteering, donating to brain research and having those real conversations about mental health.
Human connection is a powerful and important protective factor so it is important to reach out to our friends and loved ones. We never know what someone is going through so take a moment today to remind someone that you care, you are there for them and that they are flawless!
*If you are struggling right now, please know that you are never alone, There is always someone ready to help. You can call or text the suicide and crisis hotline 24/7 by dialing 988. #youareflawless
Resources:
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Suicide Loss Survivor’s Resources
