Lessons from an Ottawa woman's suicide

Editorial: Lessons from an Ottawa woman's suicide

Ottawa Citizen Editorial Board

Updated: April 20, 2019

Lauren Richards with dog, Buster. Richards took her own life on Feb. 21, 2019. jpg

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Indescribable mental agony. Deep depression. Emotional chaos. The inescapable terror that one’s life is being torn apart. It’s a constant reality for many Canadians struggling with suicidal thoughts. In today’s Observer, Citizen writer Joanne Laucius tells the story of one young woman who ultimately lost her battle to survive.
Lauren Richards was a friendly, talented 26-year-old when she took her life, barely two months ago. She had struggled since her teen years, and was diagnosed with both depression and possible borderline personality disorder. Her parents and friends decided to share details of her journey in hope of finding answers, and helping others.
Those answers will not be easy to discover, but we know they must be pursued. About 11 people in Canada die from suicide each day, and, as Laucius reports, it is the second leading cause of death (after accidents) for those aged 15-34.
Lauren Richards’ difficult, searingly painful experience suggests at least some areas for improvement.

About 11 people in Canada die from suicide each day, and it is the second leading cause of death (after accidents) for those aged 15-34.

First, it is clear from her experience that the stigma surrounding mental illness is far from over. Bell Let’s Talk campaigns and other concrete steps to help society understand and accept that mental illness is just that – an illness, not a choice or moral failing – have accomplished much, but not enough. Richards, and others like her, often go to great lengths to hide their anguish or self-harm. Just weeks before her death, she posted on Instagram: “Going to lose my mind, not because I have BPD, but because of all the stigma attached to it. PLEASE educate yourself before you judge me.”

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Second, although a parade of compassionate mental health care providers worked with her, Richards, like so many others, confronted “revolving-door syndrome” throughout her years of treatment, such as changes in doctors and mental health workers. With each new face, says one friend, “She had to re-tell her story every time.” She was terrified when a psychotherapy program that seemed to be helping her came to an end.

Related

• Lauren Richards took her own life at 26. She left behind devastated loved ones and a haunting question
• Suicide policies in Canada and beyond: What’s working and what needs to change

Third, the families of those struggling with fragile mental health also need more support. Richards’ loving family did everything possible to support her, but her mother notes that dealing with her daughter was often overwhelming. Health professionals need to educate and support families too, says Jennifer Richards.
Suicidal people are some of the most vulnerable among us. Yet mental health pain continues to be viewed differently from physical ailments. Perhaps the Richard family’s brave sharing of Lauren’s story will help change that. Something must.