When last we met, I was suggesting things might have been quite different on March 24, 2015, if Andreas Lubitz had been able to confide in even just one person about the health problems he was facing. The profound effect of being able to speak and be listened to, as well as the experience of someone responding and, hopefully, understanding, cannot be underestimated -- especially if one's mental state has been compromised by some traumatic event. The consequences of not, somehow, being able to work through that trauma are often more debilitation, or even complete destruction. As I had said, the tragedy of Germanwings Flight 9525 would have been bad enough if only Andreas Lubitz had died. That he apparently decided it was necessary to destroy 149 others, along with himself, is only one of the most recent examples of such shocking consequences.
I have been aware for some time that suicide is an increasing problem in society. But the suicide of a family member served to make me aware that I was not at all fully aware of its severity. After the event in France, I have also become aware that America is not at all "exceptional" in the number of people who are choosing to make irrevocable decisions regarding their lives. Numbers are up everywhere, with China and India leading the way. But the fact that suicides will double in number worldwide in the next five years is something I had not realized was the case in my worst imaginings. There are already going to be 1,000,000 of these events this year alone. The prospect of this doubling to 2,000,000 per year is hard to grasp.
However, our country has a population of individuals who are statistically even more likely to be having issues affecting their mental health. Of course I am speaking of our many veterans.
I hear a lot of "talk" from Washington to "support our troops." Yet when it comes time to talk about how to address their health and welfare once they are back at home, the talk in Washington suddenly fades away. My personal belief is that the failure to provide for our veterans is a matter of enormous national shame. There has never been a noticeable shortage of funds to create war veterans, but most of our political leaders seem to quickly proclaim we cannot afford everything we need when it comes to veteran care once they return from the battlefield. Our veterans deserve more.
Obviously, mental health treatment is a complex undertaking. While the Veterans Administration is the main provider of healthcare, for issues relating directly to the veterans' mental health, the ability to receive care from a third party may actually be of more immediate value. At least having it available should be an option for those who are no longer completely comfortable trying to interact with the very institution which placed them in their current circumstances.
I realize that solicitations for funds are now appearing all over the internet. But, unlike those appeals seeking funds for someone to not do something -- provide flowers or food at a wedding, for example -- this appeal is for funds which will be used for something. Something which could literally be life saving.
Here in the Seattle area, we have an organization called the Fullness Circle Foundation. It works by bringing individuals together in small groups and facilitating direct communication among them. Participants are expected to both speak and listen to others, and then ask questions to clarify what has been said. This last step is the most important, because it reinforces that what was said was actually heard. It affords an opportunity for the speaker to hear what was said through others' ears. The process of responding to these questions and clarifying their thoughts can be a valuable tool which enables participants to gain greater insight into what they are actually trying to elucidate. This can be an enormous first step in being able to confront and overcome a problem.
In a Healing Circle a few days ago, one of the veterans told Jeff that as the gathering progressed, the voices in his head quieted down, giving him time to think.
The Fullness Circle Foundation is seeking funds so that they can conduct group sessions for veterans at no cost to them. If being able to work in such a group setting allows even one participant to quiet the voices in their head and substitute the voices of those that care -- how much would that be worth?
The monetary cost of the Germanwings disaster will not be fully known for years. But the money is nothing compared to the other damage done to all those involved. This is something that can never be adequately quantified.
The possibility that simply through facilitated conversations, the course of people's lives can be changed is too great to be ignored. It also represents the chance to disrupt a self-perpetuating cycle, as those affected by one person's desperate act become desperate themselves. Unable to cope with a new and unwanted reality, there is the potential for some to begin a downward spiral of hopelessness and despair, themselves.
The costs of providing these veterans' services are truly minimal, and the means of intervention is so benign that the chance of it perpetuating a participant's trauma is exceedingly small. But there is great potential for it to do a lot of good.
I know money is tight for about 99% of people and, as much as you might like to support something, it is simply not possible to do so for all the worthy causes in the world today. So, if you feel this cause has merit, please forward this to others you know who might be in a position to help. Even very small contributions can make a big difference if enough people care enough to show their support with whatever they can spare. No matter how small a contribution it may be, it all adds up.
You can find more information about this funding drive at the following link. I hope you will have an opportunity to check it out, as it explains far more completely the process, scope, and goals of this project than I have been able to here.
https://fundrazr.com/...
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and consider the points I have raised. Time is a luxury many people who are experiencing difficulties trying to cope with their life circumstances simply do not have. But we have an opportunity to at least try to help them get their lives back on course. The benefits of this can change the future for everyone in ways we cannot even imagine. How different would our world be today if Andreas Lubitz had been able to communicate his concerns to others who could have offered support and potential alternatives?
Sadly, we will never know.
Disclosures: I have no direct connection with the Fullness Circle Foundation. I have participated in some of their facilitated group discussions on topics not related to veterans' issues.
I have made a monetary contribution to their campaign.