As most of you know, Lycoming County Coroner Charles Kiessling and I have become good friends over the years. We have known each other for many years, but as we’ve worked together in the interest of public safety, our friendship and my admiration for the effort he puts in have grown. In addition to his coroner responsibilities, he serves as an assistant fire chief at Old Lycoming Township, is responsible for the EMS training program, and works as a nurse with Geisinger’s Life Flight. No matter what he does, he goes above and beyond to try to help people, this often while they may be having the worst day of their life.

I could read through the importance within the messages he sent me and his asking for Webb Weekly to share this information through an editorial. So, I’ll begin by saying that I haven’t had the chance to sit down with him or get the specifics about the topic I’m about to discuss. There will be a follow-up article, directly from him, regarding what he reached out to me about just before the deadline.

Coroner Kiessling has already investigated 12 suicides this year. The suicide numbers are constantly above the national average here in Lycoming County. He feels we need to get more information out to try to help and prevent these tragedies and the effect they have on the families.

So, just a reminder, these are my thoughts on short notice, which I haven’t even shared with him.

There seems to be so many folks struggling within the complexity of the world we live in today. This creates more anxiety, depression, and psychological problems than ever before. This is even without taking into consideration the mental strains of those serving in the military, law enforcement, emergency services, or within the healthcare profession, who deal with the daily trauma of a world gone mad in many ways.

We all hear about clinical depression, something that might fall into the often-used PTSD category, and other mental health issues. The increased suicide numbers Coroner Kiessling is concerned about just seem left out of daily discussions. However, when a person’s life ends at their own hands, almost every time, there’s a beginning to this final chapter.

I honestly don’t know how you walk someone back out of this final darkness, and I know of individuals who have done everything possible to prevent this ending. The pain, hurt, and what-ifs continue to go on for those closest to the person.

My simple thoughts are that if we focus on the well-being of those around us, we can identify those struggling and hopefully make a difference. We can try to make those dealing with life’s everyday problems a little happier and let them know they are loved and cared about. This hopefully opens up a conversation that leads to them getting help for whatever’s triggering their mental health issue. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or coworker, you never know when a kind word of care may help or begin the healing process.
Now, for the most difficult part, the mind is like the deepest depths of the ocean. Man is still trying to unlock the mysteries, and only God knows the depths a person is walking in.

We must understand how and when to approach someone and the possibility that they might shut you down with a quick answer like, ‘I’m fine’ or ‘worry about yourself.’ Please make sure you ask the words that equate to, ‘Are you okay?’ in whatever manner you feel the individual would communicate openly back with you. This should always be done in a private, quiet setting where you would want to be talked to about an important private issue.

With this being the initial interaction, don’t press. Let them talk or accept the answer of not wanting to. There may also be somebody better suited in the person’s life to take this initial step. If you can identify this person, pass your concerns along to them. This might be the beginning of a long process that requires professional counseling, or it could be as simple as someone is having a money problem; you just never know if someone doesn’t ask.

One thing I do know, with all that could be affecting a person, a money problem is probably the most solvable. The complexity comes into what caused it and how to prevent it from happening again. Easy words to say, but that could apply to almost anything that has someone upset, withdrawing from the world, or not being themselves.

I’d better stop here as I’m out of space for a topic that will be picked up next week. I’m going to end with the best thing we can do is look out for, and love one another, and pray.

God Bless America.