Suicide: Who can explain it?

Not a subject for a group discussion where too many have chosen this escape trend. It might be one that will bring up bad memories that many people do not wish to reopen again.

I understand! My 21 year old grandson went for a trip with friends and upon returning one of his friends told Greg’s mother, Mrs….. “Greg was going to slit his wrists.” My daughter and her husband put Greg into the psych ward at the local hospital. I visited him and his demeanor was very upbeat and he said hi grandpa and he appeared to be fine. A short period of time elapsed and one evening he told his parents he was going to take a shower. Later, early in the morning, they received a phone call from the Pittsburgh Police informing them Greg had jumped off the Panther Hollow Bridge in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh. He had already planned this unbeknown to anyone. Does it bring up sadness and at times grief feelings? Certainly!

The Pittsburgh Diocese presented a series of classes regarding a number of issues that young people are confronted with. Suicide was one. As many as there are young people seeking an end to life, statistics show there are more numbers of senior citizens taking their own lives. Just a short time ago my sister-in-law passed away. She was 91 and suffered nights of uncontrollable discomfort that could have been a premise to suicide. That is not uncommon with the problems old-age can bring to so many.

Whether the advocates of end-of-life thoughts are teen-agers or an older citizen who has gone beyond the golden age they both have one common outlook; Life has left them in a nowhere meaning to what they were born with. Does anyone care for me any more? Where are the promises of a life that can pursue happiness when I look at myself that is empty of compassion? Is there any reason for me to continue in this empty shell that has become useless?

If suicide is committedwith the intention of setting an , especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary cooperation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide. (CCC 2282).

All around us there are sins of committal against one or another that need to be forgiven by a loving God. Perform the aspects of penance and go your way for another day. But suicide; especially with unwanted events that are affecting the very young and the very old; human beings that are no different than you and I with the exception of a dark cloud that appears to envelop some of our most special citizens. The aged who have been there and set an example of what life can be like. The youth who enter into a life that promises a new way to find success and prominence. Then what is the problem?

We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone. God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives, (CCC 2283).

There is one entity that seems to have placed these two groups into a dark and empty environment that pulls these souls through an endless existence from which there is no return. Who are these people we all hear about but can do nothing to change their decision?

Each one is a brother or sister to us. Maybe not all are blood relatives but each one is a brother or sister through Christ and they are our responsibility to reach out with compassion and a listening ear to their many needs.

Signs of emptiness within their lives are all around, but we must be open to discovering which sign is apparent to us? One note we were told about is to ask a person who claims they want to kill themselves. Ask them if they have a plan. If none exists we still must be cautious. However, if they spell out a method be aware they are planning suicide and will go through with it.

Ralph B. Hathaway