Comments on: Column: Depression’s Darkest Day

By: paul wiener

paul wiener — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:33:02 +0000

I continue to be haunted by Officer O’Dell’s suicide – and I had no connection to him whatever. I’ve also been troubled by the speculations and assumptions about his inexplicable decision. Ms. Morgan’s vague, fleeting reference to his depression was offered like a tease. This isn’t good journalism; it’s low-key sensationalism. No evidence has emerged as yet (or else it has been suppressed) indicating what drove him to his end. Yet depression continues to be named, as is the high stress of law enforcement and its links to depression. These may be factors, but as I said, there is simply no evidence in this instance – yet. Yes, law enforcement, even in a wealthy university town, can be very stressful. So can the internal politics of any workplace. But if such work stress alone caused suicide, there’d be many more doctors, journalists, generals, psychologists, nurses, politicians and teachers – all people who regularly witness cruelty, violence, stupidity, death, pain, and horror – killing themselves. Depression alone rarely causes suicide: when it does, either a traumatic event precipitates it, or its victims are generally alone in the world (or feel they are), have suffered a great loss, are in great pain, have no support system, or all of these. Sometimes a devastating secret kept for many years becomes too much to bear. Rarely are suicides healthy, or have strong roots, many friends, strong family ties, young children, spotless histories, and good jobs. Speculation about Greg O’Dell’s death, I believe, diminishes the man, dilutes the issue of depression and distorts the nature of law enforcement and its officers. There is a great deal not being said about this tragic death; that may be what we’re left with. But it is not a reason to imagine that we knew the underlying causes for his decision. How, when, where and why he died is a mystery and a frightening reminder that there are many things about human nature that aren’t meant to be explained, and that suicide leaves as much anger in its wake as it leaves sadness and compassion.

By: Wen

Wen — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 22:13:26 +0000

Eric,

Meriwether Lewis had depression, he also shot himself. I don’t think American had any doubt of his contribution to the nation as the leader of the Corps of Discovery Expedition. Thomas Jefferson and William Clark had never doubted that Lewis was a supurb leader!

By: Emily Eisbruch

Emily Eisbruch — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:17:41 +0000

Thank you Mary.

By: Prue

Prue — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 03:52:24 +0000

Thanks, Mary for sharing your story as well as articulating what many are feeling.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 19:56:54 +0000

Count me as yet another reader whose family is coping with a loved one’s severe depression. Thanks so much to Mary, Mrs. Bergman, & Patti for sharing your experiences & reminding me that we’re not alone.

By: TeacherPatti

TeacherPatti — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:47:30 +0000

Beautiful!

Depression doesn’t run in my family–it gallops. I feel blessed to live in a time when there is proper medication. But as Barbara says above, yes, you are often afraid of losing your job (I know I am). Even though the ADA does cover us, I know that I can’t take a day off every time I have symptoms (I mean, I could, but I’d lose my job).

The only thing I can suggest is to talk about it and keep talking and keep talking in hopes the stigma will one day be erased.

By: Barbara Levin Bergman

Barbara Levin Bergman — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:35:37 +0000

Mary, thank you for your sensitive article. Clinical depression is such an insidious disease. It is also a physical disease which is not always easy to control with medication. And a medication that works for years may suddenly become ineffective, causing a period of adjusting medications. This can be a rocky time for persons effected by this and it can also be a rocky time for those close to the person suffering from depression.

Persons with any mental illness often feel (with justification) stigmatized When persons with any mental illness are on medications that work, they are responsible, caring and loving individuals. In our society it is hard for these individuals to say publicly that they need a time out when medications are not adequately controlling their disease. They live with a fear that if their illness is discovered, they will loose their way of earning their living.

A member of my family suffers from depression. As family members we support this person and hope that someday this person and all persons so afflicted will be able to discuss their disease openly and expect support from those with whom they interact.

Again Mary, thank you for your fine article.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:49:56 +0000

Traditionally one does not speak ill of the dead, however would not mental stability be a prime requirement for the head of a law enforcement organization? Perhaps there should be discreet inquiry as to how this person advanced to the positions he held. Possibly the suicide was motivated by person matters but someone should be looking into his recent professional activities too.

By: Albert Howard

Albert Howard — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:19:21 +0000

We should never take for granted the people that have been entrusted with the mantle of power and authority.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:54:20 +0000

Mary,
Thanks for the moving article. Many of us who didn’t personally know Mr.O’Dell, also felt a great sense of loss at his sudden passing. He was a high profile member of the local law enforcement community and the face to all, who recognized his many positive contributions to the safety of all he served. As one who has witnessed the sorrow of depression, I hope one day people will truly understand this is a disease and should not be categorized as weakness. This community has lost a great man to an illness that seemed overwhelming to him. If you know or suspect someone you are close to, has signs of this illness, be the support and listening ear they need to walk through those dark days to see the light of the wonderful world around them.