Editor’s note: This commentary is by Morgan W. Brown, who lives in Montpelier.
[A]pparently there are those who appear to continue to believe that it is perfectly alright to jest about taking one’s own life or otherwise suicide in general.
Sadly, up until only recently, Gov. Peter Shumlin had been among those repeatedly doing so.
For those of us who have either lost loved ones, friends or school/work colleagues when they have taken their own lives, suicide is never found to be a laughing matter, nor should it ever be.
Although Gov. Shumlin might have found it rather difficult and highly frustrating to answer certain questions posed to him pertaining to Vermont Health Connect during his April 21 press conference, joking about taking his own life in order to attempt to evade repeated or further questioning on the subject was not only completely inappropriate, as he later acknowledged, but it is also very distressing to those who know all too well what it is like when someone close to us commits suicide.
By joking about it in the manner he has on several different occasions, the message the governor has basically sent to people is that if you are having a real hard time of it and are feeling really frustrated, whether by life in general or some difficult situation or circumstance, it is perfectly fine to kill yourself or, short of actually doing that, to otherwise joke about doing such.
While the governor might have later issued an apology to members of the press on the subject, particularly as the top political leader within the state, this does not go far enough to truly address these type of repeated jests on his part as well as the matter at large by any means.
The damage done requires much more, including publicly pledging never to do it again.
There is something of equal critical importance to be meaningfully addressed by both Gov. Shumlin and the state Legislature however and that is to make it a high priority to find and allocate state funding with which to continue ongoing suicide prevention efforts within Vermont.
The fact is that suicide prevention works.
This demands proper leadership in the form of stepping up to ensure state funding is in place, once federal monies run out on July 31, in order to fully fund what the Vermont Suicide Prevention Center and its dedicated partners have been doing in these regards up to now.
It is my understanding that the dollar amount being requested is $750,000.
Beyond the shattering impact experienced by loved ones, friends or school/work colleagues when someone takes their own life, it needs to be kept in mind about how there are many others who are impacted as well, including emergency first responders, medical personnel and the like.
In addition, whether it be an attempted or completed act of suicide that takes place, there are also numerous financial impacts and costs that occur at individual, family and societal levels to be considered, as well.
The fact is that suicide prevention works.
The precious lives saved by suicide prevention efforts are certainly worth this type of financial investment and commitment by the state.
It is imperative to contact Gov. Shumlin, House Speaker Shap Smith and Senate President Pro Tempore John Campbell, as well as one’s local state representatives and state senators, as soon as is possible.
Please join those of us who are urging the governor and state legislative leaders to provide sorely needed state funding in order to sustain ongoing suicide prevention efforts within our state.
