Very well written, Don. Like our mutual friend Charles Rammelkamp, I've recently read about higher suicide rates in young people, especially as a consequence of life disruptions from covid isolation and societal disarray. But I haven't seen much about senior suicide.
I have been in treatment for mental illness most of my life! Depression since age 7 and bipolar disorder since age 30. So, I have not noticed insurance coverage disparities you mention.
However, over the last 40 years, including both my employed and retired life, I have publicly advocated for deeper understanding of mental illness--starting with the fact that it is a Physical Illness, with a different set of symptoms: behavioral and miind-related, on top of symptoms like sleep deprivation, appetite problems (over- or under-eating), etc. The only way to end the stigma is to talk about it.
Don - Wow, thanks for "talking about it." I recently heard an alarming statistic about suicide among children, but the rate among elders - staggering. Shanah tovah, dude!
Very important piece. We do need to de-stigmatize mental illness and depression so we can discuss and seek help for it without reservation or fear of judgement. I feel strongly about this because my great-grandfather and three of my friends committed suicide, one quite recently. Suicide may take one life, but it changes countless others.
Thanks for a nice article about a tough subject, Don. This a bigger problem than people want to think. Dak was instrumental in advertising the 988-suicide hotline after his brother committed suicide.
Good piece. But suicide is a rational choice for this of us with terminal illness who lives in states with no medical aid in dying law. I have certainly contemplated it and not because I'm mentally ill.
I had no idea of these startling statistics, so thanks for sharing. You're correct that the stigma around mental illness needs to be addressed, along with the ridiculously convoluted insurance industry that makes getting help so difficult. Our healthcare system in the U.S. is hard to navigate and I seriously wonder if it's that way for a reason.
The "Cartesian Split" still haunts us. Decades after "the Decade of the Brain."
The brain is the most complex organ imaginable — yet, it's treated as an afterthought or "personality."
Physical health absolutely affects "mental health" — and vice versa.
Unrecognized/poorly managed ADHD, for example, is associated with serious adverse health outcomes. Yet, sometimes a person will be prescribed multiple medications for various ailments when treating the core issue, ADHD, might obviate the need for those medications. Not to mention prevent brain-challenging diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular illness.
Thank you for covering such an important topic. I had no idea about these statistics or life insurance practices. I so appreciate learning more about this as I consider my retirement and future plans.
Your passion about this subject comes through. I had a friend in her sixties whose mother, a woman in her eighties who was not physically sick, committed suicide. I remember that it felt really shocking. People had no idea how to approach the grieving daughter.
wow! a tough read. It's funny because in todays social media, I find or found that many people, I guess in their 30's mostly, it seems, tell ALL about their state of mental un-wellness and all the meds they are taking. If anything thats a red flag for any employer possibly checking out social media pre-employment. Even mentioning about upping dosage without any shame etc- like popping juicy fruits. Open real time memoirs if you will. I was not aware of senior suicide rates but it does make sence as some older people are lonely, and some times abused and helpless. Its sad. Where are the lobbyist for the older people?
Very well written, Don. Like our mutual friend Charles Rammelkamp, I've recently read about higher suicide rates in young people, especially as a consequence of life disruptions from covid isolation and societal disarray. But I haven't seen much about senior suicide.
I have been in treatment for mental illness most of my life! Depression since age 7 and bipolar disorder since age 30. So, I have not noticed insurance coverage disparities you mention.
However, over the last 40 years, including both my employed and retired life, I have publicly advocated for deeper understanding of mental illness--starting with the fact that it is a Physical Illness, with a different set of symptoms: behavioral and miind-related, on top of symptoms like sleep deprivation, appetite problems (over- or under-eating), etc. The only way to end the stigma is to talk about it.
Don - Wow, thanks for "talking about it." I recently heard an alarming statistic about suicide among children, but the rate among elders - staggering. Shanah tovah, dude!
Very important piece. We do need to de-stigmatize mental illness and depression so we can discuss and seek help for it without reservation or fear of judgement. I feel strongly about this because my great-grandfather and three of my friends committed suicide, one quite recently. Suicide may take one life, but it changes countless others.
Thanks for a nice article about a tough subject, Don. This a bigger problem than people want to think. Dak was instrumental in advertising the 988-suicide hotline after his brother committed suicide.
Good piece. But suicide is a rational choice for this of us with terminal illness who lives in states with no medical aid in dying law. I have certainly contemplated it and not because I'm mentally ill.
My guess is you've been working on this issue of The EndGame for decades. The effort shows. Well done.
I had no idea of these startling statistics, so thanks for sharing. You're correct that the stigma around mental illness needs to be addressed, along with the ridiculously convoluted insurance industry that makes getting help so difficult. Our healthcare system in the U.S. is hard to navigate and I seriously wonder if it's that way for a reason.
Thank you, Don.
The "Cartesian Split" still haunts us. Decades after "the Decade of the Brain."
The brain is the most complex organ imaginable — yet, it's treated as an afterthought or "personality."
Physical health absolutely affects "mental health" — and vice versa.
Unrecognized/poorly managed ADHD, for example, is associated with serious adverse health outcomes. Yet, sometimes a person will be prescribed multiple medications for various ailments when treating the core issue, ADHD, might obviate the need for those medications. Not to mention prevent brain-challenging diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular illness.
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Thank you for covering such an important topic. I had no idea about these statistics or life insurance practices. I so appreciate learning more about this as I consider my retirement and future plans.
Great piece and I speak as a fellow traveler.
Your passion about this subject comes through. I had a friend in her sixties whose mother, a woman in her eighties who was not physically sick, committed suicide. I remember that it felt really shocking. People had no idea how to approach the grieving daughter.
Very well stated.
wow! a tough read. It's funny because in todays social media, I find or found that many people, I guess in their 30's mostly, it seems, tell ALL about their state of mental un-wellness and all the meds they are taking. If anything thats a red flag for any employer possibly checking out social media pre-employment. Even mentioning about upping dosage without any shame etc- like popping juicy fruits. Open real time memoirs if you will. I was not aware of senior suicide rates but it does make sence as some older people are lonely, and some times abused and helpless. Its sad. Where are the lobbyist for the older people?
We’ll-written piece, and thought-provoking.