Think About It

          I recently read a headline about a certain extra-curricular activity being criticized for not being (or doing) enough to help prevent suicide.  No, I didn’t read the article, but it did cause me to think about who or what we blame for suicide.  I realize that the topic of suicide is typically so frightening that it has become taboo, but we – as a society – cannot ignore it.  Unfortunately, through the years, I have been around way too many suicides and there is one thing I have learned – suicide is not a simple, single-cause issue.  It is an individual’s decision that, more often than not, comes from a complex blend of stimuli.  It can’t be universally blamed on bullying … or alcohol and drugs … or depression … or limited healthcare … or financial insecurity … or any other single issue.  Each choice to end a life comes from an individual’s unique situation and personal perspective.  The same set of circumstances that might cause one person to have a bad day might be enough c