BY MICHAEL J. MARX, MBA, EDD, PCC, CMCC
Yes, the holiday season. It’s a wonderful time to reach out and connect with loved ones. Cards, letters, phone calls, video chats, text messages. We feel the love.
What about Uncle Frank? He recently lost his wife of 50 years to cancer. He is alone on his farm without any significant social contact. He is an expert marksman and has taken to consuming alcohol in increasing amounts. – He is also the description of the American most likely to suicide.
Reaching out to loved ones, colleagues, and associates is a great way to keep yourself in touch with those you need to interact with for your well-being. It is also about the best way to keep isolated people alive. It is often assumed that suicides increase during the holidays. The premise is that many people become despondent when they feel a lack of loving relationships. This is true. However, in terms of suicide, the “ideation” of thinking of taking one’s life is what increases, not actual attempts. Statistically, suicides go down during the holidays as people look forward to interacting lovingly with others.
There are primarily two aids in preventing someone from taking their own life: HOPE and CARE. If the person is seriously depressed, hope might not be the best place to start. Often the despondency is fueled by the sense that there is no hope. So, care becomes the better first option. Say to Uncle Frank, “We love you, we care about you, and we are glad you are in our lives.”
It is often said that we should have the spirit of Christmas all year long. Indeed, we should. Doing so could help keep our loved ones alive and looking forward to another day.
1 Corinthians 13:8a: “Love never fails”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Michael J. Marx, MBA, EdD, PCC, CMCC. Michael is an ICF Professional Certified Coach specializing in business coaching and corporate consultation. Dr. Marx is a recognized leader in coaching ethics and suicide prevention. Additionally, he is a past-president of Christian Coaches Network International and the author of Ethics and Risk Management for Christian Coaches (2016). He and his team have founded a non-profit call Coaching Suicide Awareness. He also serves on the ICF Independent Review Board.
