Suicide has been a persistent problem in Montana — and it’s getting worse. The state saw 25.9 suicides for every 100,000 residents in 2016, nearly double the national average.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control

Darkness. It’s more than a physical lack of light. It can describe the state of one’s existence when all hope has been extinguished. Such darkness can enshroud a person because there appears to be no escape from the emotional and mental black hole one is living in. A person in this desperate state primarily wants the pain to end and they believe their only solution is to end their lives.

This happens all too often in Montana and Flathead County. Our state recently became number one in suicide per capita among the fifty states. Montana’s average is twice that of our nation as is our county’s.

An individual’s choice of suicide is commonly due to multiple reasons which are generally tied together. Some of these are: substance abuse, broken relationships, unemployment, financial trouble, mental illness, PTSD, chronic or terminal medical diagnosis, isolation, lack of treatment options, and more.

Recently another local teen was in such darkness and chose to end her life. She left behind a caring, devastated family.

After being dispatched, I felt very angry as I made the 25 minute drive to the home where she had been found by a family member. I was mad at the circumstances that drove her to put a gun to her head and pull the trigger, at the immediate and long term suffering her family will endure, and at sin which so powerfully destroys the Lord’s creation.

Comfort and spiritual care were provided on scene as well as guidance. Family members were soon followed up with by Braveheart volunteers. These caring believers contact victims of trauma afterwards to check on them and to see if they have further needs that we can assist with.