EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the last in a series of articles about mental health, managing disorders, treatment and local resources available for anyone with mental illness.
An international speaker and local mental health advocates echoed increasing efforts to raise awareness and improve the public dialogue about mental health and suicide Saturday during the Suicide Prevention Allies' third annual major event.
New Jersey native Josh Rivedal served as the keynote speaker for the "Just a Minute: 60-Second Video PSA Showcase" in the Frederick M. Dierks Center for Nursing and Health Sciences on the National Park College campus. Rivedal has created a school curriculum for his i'Mpossible Project awareness initiative and has traveled the world for speaking engagements and performances.
Rivedal's grandfather died by suicide, but he said the topic was rarely discussed and he learned little about suicide growing up in a religious household. He later moved to New York City to pursue opportunities in acting and entertainment. He told of how his mother abruptly left his father after 30 years of marriage and how his father became more aggressive, hostile and depressed.
"He spiraled and he spiraled fast," Rivedal said. "He was obsessing over my mom, he was taking on some unhealthy habits and the day they were supposed to get divorced, March 31, 2009, my dad took his life and that threw my life for a left turn."
Rivedal learned more about mental health and suicide and channeled his emotions into a one-man comedy performance, but his personal life further deteriorated when his mother sued him and his brother for the inheritance left to them by their father. He also separated from his girlfriend of six years.
Signs that someone may have ideations of suicide include discussing or threatening to hurt or kill oneself, seeking means of suicide, increased use of alcohol or drugs, feeling hopeless or seeing no reason for living, feeling rage or seeking revenge, reckless behavior, talking or writing about death and suicide, feeling trapped, dramatic mood changes and withdrawing from friends, family and society.
Risk factors for suicide include a family history of suicide, major trauma, untreated or mistreated mental health conditions, incarceration, social isolation or bullying, major life changes and even previous attempts. Rivedal said his own personal symptoms increased after struggles in his personal life.
"I could not eat, I could not sleep, I would cry almost all of the time, I could not go anywhere and I could not do anything," Rivedal said. "I was about to lose the acting jobs that I did have and, on top of that, I started thinking about suicide at the beginning of that six-week period weekly, daily, hourly and by the minute to the point where I was hanging out of my fourth floor window in Manhattan in New York City thinking about ending my life."
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, "there is no single cause to suicide. It most often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition."
The worsening depression led Rivedal to call his mother and seek support. She asked him directly if he thought about suicide.
"She did some amazing things on that call, but, essentially, she was the catalyst for saving my life," Rivedal said. "From there, I got into therapy and I got into counseling."
Communication is cited as the most important factor in supporting someone with ideations of suicide. Rivedal led a demonstration with Susie Reece, executive director of Suicide Prevention Allies, about how to help someone in crisis.
Rivedal said the base of any help should be listening. He said a supporter should offer clues to keep them grounded, empathy, no judgment, be explicit that their life is important and assist or refer them to professional help. He said he returned to school, learned more about suicide and mental health and opened up more.
"Tell your story, speak up, speak out and speak often," Rivedal said. "Everybody's got a story. Everybody is a teacher, from the janitor to the CEO. Everybody's got something to give."
Rivedal said anyone can show their support through communication or even their own personal experiences.
"Storytelling saves lives," Rivedal said. "Don't let anyone else define you. Tell your story first. Some people might call me crazy, weird or stupid because I speak out and I am kind of a rabble-rouser in certain ways, but I don't care.
"I am going to keep telling my story. I am going to define me. I am not crazy, weird, stupid or anything. I am a person. I am a human being. I am Josh, creative, and I am somebody who is trying to make a difference in the world."
Rivedal can be reached for additional information or materials by email at [email protected]. His presentation was sponsored by the Matthew Silverman Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit public charity dedicated to raising awareness with the goals of preventing suicide and saving lives.
May is observed as Mental Health Awareness Month. SPA partnered with CHI St. Vincent and the college to host the event, which was also sponsored by The Bridgeway and Therapeutic Family Services.
Guests were greeted and welcomed on Saturday by Garland County District Court Judge Meredith Switzer Rebsamen, daughter of Judge David B. Switzer, who died in December. Rebsamen said she requested to be appointed to Switzer's seat to carry on his passion for specialty courts.
"I feel like I have a role and a responsibility every single day of my life to make sure these people get the help they need," Rebsamen said. "For my purposes, it is so they do not come back and see me in court. Jail is not a good place for people suffering with mental illness."
Rebsamen said awareness is a key factor in supporting those with mental illness. She said many people she sees in court do not have the resources or support they need to get help for their problems.
"You all have a role and a responsibility in this community," Rebsamen said. "We have to bring those suffering from mental illness and those affected by mental illness out of the darkness and into the light and let them know, one, they are not alone and, two, there are resources for them."
Todd Marchese presented a public service announcement he developed with footage recorded at Fountain Lake Charter High School. The video is available on the Suicide Prevention Allies' channel on YouTube. Marchese presented additional PSA submissions by students from Lake Hamilton and Lakeside.
The Arkansas Youth PRIDE Troupe performed several dances, skits and vocal acts with students in grades 8-12 from El Dorado High School who developed their own show. Lenora Erickson, clinical director, presented a donation to the troupe from Therapeutic Family Services.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 800-273-8255 for free 24 hours every day for confidential support for people in distress, best practices for professionals and resources for prevention 24 hours every day. An alternate line at 800-799-4889 is available for anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing and a chat option is available online at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.
The Crisis Text Line offers assistance 24 hours every day from trained crisis counselors. Text HOME to 741741 to be connected with a counselor during a crisis.
Local on 05/07/2017