Petoskey family mourns loss of family member. Health professionals say help is out there
PETOSKEY, MI -- Family and friends are searching for answers as to why their loved one would take his own life.
Petoskey police found Charles Steele dead after a two-hour manhunt yesterday.
Medical experts say you should never sit on a suicidal thought.
One health professional says get help before it's too late.
It was news that shocked the city of Petoskey, hearing that police were on a manhunt searching for an apparent gunman in the Bear River Valley. Even more disturbing word that the man killed himself, something that will forever change the life of his wife and three kids. Tina Aown is a nurse at the Mental Health Unit of Northern Michigan Regional Hospital.
"Suicide as a behavior can be something that somebody has been contemplating, struggling with over a period of weeks, months, or even years, have the thought intermittently, or can be something that comes on very quickly, and they act on it very impulsively,” said Aown.
Aown says if an individual is in a slump of depression or has suicidal thoughts, something needs to be done immediately. There may be a change in mood or the act of the person being hopeless. Quite often, the person may mention the thought of suicide, something that shouldn't be taken lightly.
“If you're having fits of depression, or if you're having thoughts of suicide, certainly, you need to seek help immediately," said Aown.
Aown says unfortunately, there's a stigma associated with mental illness. But there shouldn't be, because your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
“Get help, if you're having these thoughts, get help. If you're having a heart attack, you wouldn't avoid going to the doctor or to the hospital, and taking care of your mental health is just as important as your physical health."
She says when in crisis, do something, before it's too late.
Helpline Phone Numbers:
North Country Community Mental Health- (800)834-3393
Third Level Crisis Line- (800)442-7315
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- (800)273-8255
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.com
