I am chagrinned to admit a variety of historical moments that I recall. Many things have occurred in my lifetime, and it bothers me more than a little that I am getting, as they say, a bit long in the tooth. The years come for all of us, and there is much to see along the way. I recall, for example, when there were great advertising campaigns for the novel idea of a single, easy, phone number to dial in case of emergency. I recall that roll out of "911" like it was yesterday.
Many misremember the advent of "directory assistance" that was reached dialing "411." They conflate somehow that this was created before "911." But back in the old days, we just dialed "0" for help. No, I am not old enough to remember when dialers knew the local operator by name, but I have seen it as a Hollywood trope. The "411" shortcut was a product of the 1970s. In the 1980s, the FCC added "211" as an easy way to reach "essential government services."
With far less fanfare, or perhaps I noticed that "911" fanfare more because I admittedly had less to think about in those days, the fine folks in government recently rolled out the "988." I know a lawyer in south Florida who persistently refers to that geography as "the 305." Apparently this is an appellation adapted by some singer somewhere, and embraced by the locals. Everyone at risk of mental and emotional challenges might do well to remember "the 988," and perhaps someone will rap about it eventually.
Well, we are all living in the new "988," it is everywhere, and that new shortcut debuted in 2022. The publicity occurred, but it was not memorable. It began July 1, 2022. When I mentioned it at the recent WCI, I could just as well have been speaking Italian. There was no recognition or acknowledgment. The "988" is a national Suicide and Crisis Hotline. Not as broad as a "911," but a source of help and resources. I remember thinking in July that it seems a bit alien that this simple and somewhat obvious idea is only coming to fruition in 2022.
Suicide is a thing worthy of our analysis. In 2020, 45,979 Americans departed by way of suicide, according to the American Federation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). That is a significant number. That is more than the total of Americans who died of gun violence in 2020, but not by much; Pew says that figure was 45,222. The news is persistently reporting on gun violence, but notably about half of those gun deaths is attributable also to suicide. Where is the public outcry and concern about suicide?
The government thinks that over 100,000 Americans died of drug overdose in 2020. The Center for Disease Control concludes that only about 4.7% of those were suicides. That is somewhat surprising compared to those involving firearms. The National Highway Transportation Administration says that 42,915 Americans died in vehicle accidents in 2020. It is possible that some of those were intentional, though statistics were not readily discerned. Might it be possible that some portion of them, not being intentional, were caused by mental distraction, fatigue, or inattention? Could emotional issues be contributing to the figures beyond suicide?
Returning to suicide, September is Suicide Awareness Month according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. And, coincidentally, the news has been attentive regarding a recent suicide in Wisconsin. The coverage volume may be influenced by the victim being a member of the media profession. It may be influenced by her being photogenic. Some may even be driven by salacious angles with which some have approached this particular instance. It may be influenced by the timing and the Awareness Month. But, in the end, coverage has been extensive. Despite its "far off" Wisconsin nature, it has a Florida connection, which is likely how it ended up in my news feed.
Neena Pacholke was the news anchor at WAOW. She had seen success as a basketball player at the University of South Florida, graduated, and taken on a career in media, according to Yahoo. The Daily Mail reports that she was engaged to be married, and had purchased a home with her fiancé, a wedding was scheduled for October. There were apparently allegations of infidelity (the salacious angle some are taking), the wedding canceled, and Ms. Pacholke passed.
Where were the signs? Her sister characterized her as "a little ball of sunshine, and her smile was massive," and she was "by far the happiest person I thought I knew.” The news reports her loss of a boyfriend shortly before college, dedication to fundraising and public awareness of that gentleman's cancer, and her thoughts on dealing with loss and tragedy were reported early in the news cycle. She was praised and complimented extensively in the coverage.
Her coworkers remembered her "a kind person with a big heart and a contagious smile and we will miss her greatly,” according to the Tampa Bay Times. A former teammate reportedly said she "possessed a big-picture perspective and a willingness to look at 'the positive side of everything.'" She was someone people counted on, and who could "put a smile on everyone’s face, and she was always there for us.”
According to People, Ms. Pacholke's sister concluded "Sometimes you just don't know what people are going through, no matter how much you think you know someone." Perhaps that is true in a broad portion of the American population? It is possible that there are a fair few people in your circle who are struggling with something. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says that in 2020 about one in five (20%) American adults lived with a mental illness. If you have five friends, perhaps one of them is at risk?
The point here, however, is more direct. There is a new tool available to those who are struggling. The new "988" is easy to remember and to access. One might seek help there for themselves or another. And, despite outward appearances, it is possible that someone you know may similarly be struggling "no matter how much you think you know someone."
September is awareness month. Hopefully this post helps with that. And, perhaps you will have the chance to pass on the new "988" and build public awareness that this new resource is there for the taking.
