Suicide...Take Action

We probably all know at least one person who has committed suicide. Whether it has been has been a friend, family member, or someone within your social circle is it has had to touch your life at one time or another...

For me it has crossed throughout my life. I can easily recount at least at least three high school classmates who took their own lives and and an uncle. And these are not the end of the deaths. All are unfortunately unexplained as far as I know. All are equally as tragic and sad.

Last week a newspaper here in Miami, the Miami New Times, published an article called "Legends of the Fall" which recounted the the death of one of my friends by his jumping from his condo balcony, as well as those of fifteen others doing the same. Terry died in January and we have all struggled since then to deal with his death. Why exactly did he do it? Could we have prevented it somehow? He had left a very long letter but it still did not answer all the questions. This invasive article opened wounds which we had all started to heal and opened Terry's death as a showcase to the public. Needless to say those that loved him were very disgusted and angered.

I immediately composed a letter to the editor and the parent corporation. To have such a personal tragedy put on personal display is not acceptable. Being the "fire-starter" I am, I also contacted many of the suicide survivor's groups (locally and nationally) to let them know of the article. They were as appalled as I.

This is what I ask of you...(I know it may be difficult)...please read the "article" in the Miami New Times (http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2009-09-10/news/legends-of-the-fall-suicide-by-jumping-from-miami-condo-buildings/). If you feel as I do and are disgusted by their article please voice your opinion. Now that the issue is off the news stands they have a blog set up at http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/riptide/2009/09/afsp.php . I urge you all to let your feelings known.


Respectable journalists do not report upon "everyday" suicides so why was this article necessary in such detail? Will they follow up with those that shot themselves, hung themselves, overdosed, or slit their wrists? Doubtful.

Please voice your disgust and pass this post along to your family and friends who may have also been affected by such a tragedy. Publications such as this should not continue to get away with such deplorable practices.