Kathryn Goetzke is a depression survivor that began a non-profit organization for depression called iFred (the International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression) dedicated to encouraging research on depression and reducing the stigma associated with the disease. Kathryn lost both her father and her aunt to untreated depression — both tragically ending their lives in suicide. Kathryn herself experienced multiple depressive episodes before getting treatment. She began the organization in 2005, and it has attempted to bring more attention the impact that depression — and its untreated effects, such as suicide — has on families and society.
Recently, the Chicago CBS affiliate interviewed her briefly for a story about the signs of suicide, after the suicide of Chicago school board president, Michael Scott. Scott was among officials subpoenaed this summer in a federal investigation of admissions practices at Chicago’s selective enrollment high schools. He also was the subject of a Chicago Tribune investigation into a land deal and his key role on Chicago’s Olympics committee. He was found dead on Monday by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
This time of year, many of us will be gathering to give thanks for what we do have in our lives — family, friends, and the ability to try and provide a better world for our children, and our children’s children. Efforts like Kathryn’s give us all renewed hope, and I give thanks that folks like her are in the world, spreading the word about the significant impact depression and suicide have on so many.
Watch the video Suicides Can Come Without Warning (preceded by a 30 sec. commercial)
Learn more about the International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (iFred)
(Full disclosure: I sit on iFred’s advisory board, and I lost my best friend to suicide in my first year of graduate school.)
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4 Comments to
“Signs of Suicide from Kathryn Goetzke”
I am 37 years old and have been married since 18. I have an amazing family. Sometimes these are not even thoughts in my head, how sad. I am not at all surprised that “Suicides can come without warnings”. I once found myself looking for the box cutter. I was not even conscious that I was irrationally irritated that i could not find my tool of death. Looking back it scares me. No conscious thought, no feelings, no real anything. It seemed normal that this was the time to make it all go away. After almost three years, many medications, and a few switches of Doctors, I know the signs. I wish we could support more openly without being treated like we have the plague. So sad…many of us are really deeply caring people..we have compassion that many do not understand because we get up each day, excited that we successfully got through another day…what a gift.
I posted this on Christine’s blog. I think it gives so much hope.
I admire this man enormously. I think winning his personal battles are as great as his awesome political feats. http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln84.html
Imagine if he were alive today and using the media to get the message out there that “you can function and do a darned good job of it”
Thanks all for watching and thanks to Dr. Grohol for posting – it is amazing the work you do and how many people you touch.
There are of course sometimes signs of suicide (and you can learn all about it on this very throrough website) but often times there aren’t. My response was to the outcry that it could have been a suicide – even after all the evidence. It is just a disease so few understand.
I think it is our job as advocates to encourage the media to write more about the positive outcomes of treatment. People can go on to accomplish great things even while treated / dealing with depression and if we focus on that instead of the negative symptoms associated with depression, a lot more would be done about it.
It is also my experience that men show signs of depression through directing anger outwards / whereas women direct it inwards, which is another reason I think women get diagnosed so much more than men. We don’t recognize the anger for what it is – a cry for help.
Much love to you all for reading and advocating. It is through the work of everyone that gives us the power to change the perception of the disease and save future lives from being lost.
“attention the impact that depression — and its untreated effects, such as suicide — has on families and society.”
You and I are part of that society.
At TreeHouse I’ve worked with thousands of teens over the past twenty years. While many of the teens are stable — even exceptionally resilient — working with at-risk teens wallowing in suicidal ideations is emotionally taxing.
Monday after an hour and a half I hoped that the teen whom I spoke to would have the resilience to live though another day.
I’m grateful he did.
mysilentscream.com
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 22 Nov 2009
