Opinion

Monrovia Old Town report: Every month should be Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

By Shawn Spencer

shawn@girlfridaysolutions.net Send your letters to tmiller@beaconmedianews.com - Please be brief.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In the current year of our Lord 2022, it is more than likely that depression, mental health and even suicide have impacted you or someone that you know. Today, even though mental health is spoken of more freely and openly than ever before, it is still highly misunderstood by many. Often people think that mental health is someone’s attempt to gain more attention, or to lessen the responsibilities placed on them. Today, depression seems to run rampant amongst our young adults and teens. Mental health can often be found on TV, in movies and music. Is it glamorizing? Or is it realistic? Do we have any idea if these media portrayals of mental illness and mental health have any short- or long-term social and/or emotional effects? If so, is it worth it? Where are our safeguards within the media? (Remember when Lucy and Desi slept in twin beds? That feels like eons ago.)

As a parent, we know the fears we face once we have kids. It starts with worrying about a safe pregnancy and delivery, then SIDS and choking. We worry about abduction, illnesses, accidents. Then they start driving and potentially experimenting with drinking or who knows what—maybe sex. I now know that we are never off the hook, as parents. When a neighbor lost their 27-yearold son due to a drunk driver, I realized that us parents will never be free from worry. At what age will my kids get to stop calling me to tell me they have arrived safely? Ask my 24-year-old son and he will reply, “not yet.” Add this to the list of fears: the mental illness that sadly, some parents never see coming. The number of children we have recently lost in Monrovia alone, is staggering. The agony that the parents go through is heartbreaking. How many of our kids had their first experience facing tragic loss due to a friend or fellow student’s suicide?

Mental health does not only affect our youth. There are many smiling, seemingly happy adults that suffer and you might never guess. Weren’t we all shocked by the deaths of Robin Williams, Anthony Bourdain and Naomi Judd? When I was a banker, here in town, I had this adorable 86-yearold client. She was the cutest thing ever. One day, when she got up to leave, she gave me a hug and told me that she was so happy to be alive to have met me. Then she told me that when she was 84, she tried to commit suicide because she was just so lonely. I’ll never forget that day. Thankfully, she was not successful. She got a second chance and is enjoying new people in her life and new activities. I’m happy to say that I got her started taking Lyft rides. Now she’s all over the place!

Pay attention to the people around you. Pay attention to your children. Start by asking them if they have ever thought about hurting themselves. They are tough questions for sure, and unpleasant topics, but research shows that people who are having suicidal thoughts feel relief when someone asks about them in a caring way. We can all prevent suicide. Be a patient and open ear for the people that need you. When people speak of suicide, it is often in a passive manner or perhaps imminent. When the threat is passive, show empathy and concern. Don’t judge or argue. Validate their feelings; ask if they have a plan in place. If the threat seems more imminent, call 911 and/or 988 immediately. Do not leave them alone and try to remove all means of harm.

If you think you suffer or if you do suffer from depression, please find a therapist to speak with. There are low cost and no cost options. Reach out to your closest friend or family member and create a safety plan. If you do not feel safe; if you feel like you might cause self-harm, call 988 immediately! If you are uncomfortable speaking on the phone, you can livechat at 988lifeline.org. You can also text the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) at 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor. Download the MY3 mobile app to set up your network and safety plan. Please remember that you are not alone.

Crisis hotline phone numbers. | Graphic courtesy of LA County Department of Public Health

Letter for submission: Simple foods

First of all, a confession: I am not a gourmet person. In fact, I have proletariat tastes and am perfectly happy with the simplest of foods.

With that disclosure out of the way, let me say that for years my wife and I patronized the Monrovian Restaurant and enjoyed their tasty and plentiful breakfasts while sitting in one of their roomy, comfortable booths. Add to that Sia and her extended Greek family who were the soul of friendliness, and we could ask for nothing more.

We also enjoyed the Monrovian's famous corned beef and cabbage, which was served on Thursdays and became our favorite dinner.

Yes, I agree that we should sample different kinds of foods at more impressive restaurants which, after rising from years of poverty, I can now well afford to patronize.

It's hard to believe, but living a simple life, even for its own sake, can become a habit.

David Quintero

Monrovia

| Courtesy photo