Suicides increase in Maverick County
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
Recent events during April and May of 2016 in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas concerning the deaths of two residents by suicide highlight a growing problem in the community. Suicide affects everyone: young, middle-age, and older persons-both men and women.
Maverick Countians woke up on Sunday, May 22, 2016 morning to learn of the sad news that another community resident had committed suicide at his home on Fox Street in Eagle Pass by hanging. A family member found Juan Jose Rodriguez, age 57, dead at his home after not hearing from him and going to check up on him.
Also in April 2016, a young 16 year old C. C. Winn High School male student lost his life as a result of injuries sustained from suicide.
Suicides are caused by many reasons in a person’s life as well as a community. Every suicide is unique and personal to the victim. However, suicide is not the answer for humans suffering depression, sadness, anxiety, or any other social ills. There is help for people with problems if they reach out for help.
One suicide in a community is one too many and unnecessary. People shutter when they hear of a suicide and makes them hold on to their loved ones and children tighter.
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for people of all ages in the United States.
Many experts do question if such tragedies are even preventable due to delicate issues which often are hidden by the individual who is dealing with problems within themselves including un-diagnosed mental stress disorders, depression, suicidal tendencies and social ills that may lead to suicide attempts and violence.
Although it is often hard to determine whether anyone is in the grasp of such tragic decisions , having access to the proper information and help could set into place measures that could save a life.
Suicide also affects the health of family members, others, and the community. When people die by suicide, their family and friends often experience shock, anger, guilt, and depression, Suicide sometimes creates a chain of events that basically destroys the peace in a family beyond repair.
Maverick County is not exempt from the growing trend of people committing suicide.
During 1999 through 2016, Maverick County has had a total of 43 suicide deaths, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
The Texas Department of Health and Human Services report shows that 20 of the 43 suicide deaths in Maverick County were from the use of a firearm and another 20 were from other forms of self-harm. Three of the suicides have been from 2014 to 2016 and their causes are not reflected in the state report, including the tragic suicide death of the 16 year old boy during April 2016 and the one on May 22, 2016.
Of the 43 suicides in Maverick County, the state report shows that 15 were of individuals between the ages of 15 to 24 year of age. Six of these 15 suicides were from a discharge of a firearm and nine were from other means of self-harm.
The state report shows that six of the 43 suicides in Maverick County were individuals between the ages of 35 to 44 year old. Two of these six of suicides were with the use of a firearm and three were from other means of self-harm.
The state report shows that seven of the 43 suicides in Maverick County were individuals between the ages of 45 to 54 year old. Three of these seven suicides were from use of a firearm and four were from other means of self-harm.
The state report shows one firearm suicide of the 43 in Maverick County being an individual between the age of 54 to 64 years old.
The state report shows that three of the 43 suicides in Maverick County were people between the ages of 65 to 74 years old, which all were reported as suicide by firearm.
Finally, the state report shows three of the 43 suicides in Maverick County were individuals between the ages of 75 to 84 years old. Two of the three suicide deaths were attributed to firearm suicide and one from other means of self-harm.
During 2013, a total of 41,149 people killed themselves by suicide in the United States. Another 494,169 people with self-inflicted injuries were treated in U.S. Hospital emergency rooms during 2013.
Suicides also affect family and the entire community. An estimated $44.6 Billion in medical costs and work loss costs is attributed to suicides in the United States.
In 2013, suicide was the second leading cause of death among persons aged 15-24 years, the second among persons aged 25-34 years, the fourth among person aged 35-54 years, the eighth among persons aged 55-64 years, the seventeenth among persons 65 years and older, and the tenth leading cause of death across all ages in the United States.
Suicide does affect everyone, but men have a higher risk than women of dying from suicide. Reports show that men run a four times greater risk than women of dying from suicide.
Studies show that women are more likely to express suicidal thoughts and to make nonfatal attempts than men.The prevalence of suicidal thoughts, suicide planning, and suicide attempts is significantly higher among young adults aged 18-29 years than it is among adults aged 30 years. Other groups with higher rates of suicidal behavior include American Indian and Alaska Natives, rural populations, and active or retired military personnel.
Suicide is a significant public health problem, and there is a lot to learn about how to prevent it.
It is of the greatest importance as a community to learn about the warning signs of suicide. Signs often include individuals expressing or showing intentions of self harm, increasing substance use, and having changes in their mood, diet, or sleeping patterns.
When these warning signs appear, quickly connecting the person to supportive services is critical.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800- 273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
