Body Found in Fort Patrick Henry Lake Sheds Light On Growing Problem
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Body Found in Fort Patrick Henry Lake Sheds Light...
Body Found in Fort Patrick Henry Lake Sheds Light On Growing Prob
Dave McAvoy, News Channel 11
Kingsport rescue crews set up a command center at Warrior’s Path State Park after reports that a woman jumped in Ft. Patrick Henry Lake.
Kingsport police believe a woman lost her life early Friday morning when she jumped from a Tri-Cities bridge into the water below. Around 4:30 am, drivers on Interstate 81 in Kingsport called police, reporting a woman sitting on the guardrail of the bridge over Fort Patrick Henry Lake with her feet dangling over the side. After searching for hours, rescue crews recovered what they believe to be the adult woman’s body just before noon.
Although investigators aren’t ruling out other causes of death, they believe the woman’s death was a suicide. It’s generally our policy to avoid covering suicides, but this death sheds some light on a real problem in our society, which we can’t ignore. Rescue crews at the scene told us the woman in this case threatened to kill herself before. Experts say in nearly every suicide, there is some kind of warning sign. However, Frontier Health Senior Vice President for Speciality Services Dr. Randy Jessee says often times, family members and friends don’t take those warning signs seriously.
“We are very private and very few people, even in close relationships, often in marriages, they don’t know each other, and that is problematic,“ Jessee said.
At the Frontier Health Crisis Center, therapists take calls from 1,200 people a month. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, those therapists are available to talk to people in need. Jessee says all people should be available 24-7.
He says people should play close attention to the warning signs of suicide. Whether it’s mood swings, negative thinking, anger, withdrawal, hopelessness, recklessness, or an increase in substance abuse, Jessee says when a loved one starts showing these signs, it’s time for you to step in.
“They need to engage that individual, to be non-judgmental, to listen, to be supportive, encouraging and giving them some glimpse that there is hope, there are options,“ Jessee said.
Therapists also say people in need shouldn’t be ashamed to call suicide prevention help lines. They recommend hotlines like (800) SUI-CIDE, (800) 273-TALK, and (877) 928-9067.
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Reader Reactions
Myra,
Tell your husband thank you for us. It is amazing how many people pass judgement on issues they know nothing about, it makes you feel sorry for them.
Dear Freepress
A “Stupid and Senseless war?? My husband is there - helping women and children like you and yours with their freedom of speech and life… If you call defending hundreds of women and children stupid and senseless - maybe you should volunteer to live there and pray that someone will come and help make life tolerable for you. The only thing stupid and senseless are your ignorant comments!!
Sincerely,
Army wife!!
freepress
Poor thing,
You choose the way you live, as for your son, until he wants to get better no one will be able to help him.
I spent two tours in that country and it is a whole lot better than it was when we crossed the border.
I am so sorry to hear of this tradgedy. Sometimes our healthcare system makes it very difficult to see that someone who is suicidal gets good care. My son, in his 20’s threatened suicide last year. He was not covered by private health insurance, but he is a veteran so he went to the VA. They kept him for 5 nights, three of which he was so drugged by the VA that he has no memory of them. Essentially, they did nothing for him except keep him locked down for 5 days. I do not blame the VA for this, but I do blame a government and healthcare system that has no time for the working poor and continually spits on the veterans who were willing to serve this country, most recently in a stupid and useless war. We deserve better as a nation.
If an individual really wants to die, they will succeed in doing so. Those that threaten and just injure themselves or place themselves somewhere to be “found in time” are the ones that can be helped.
Unless you have had the experience of the local facilites and what they do when a family member states they are suicidal, I think you should hold off on any newcasts on this subject.
The local facilities are so tied in with the insurance companies that they keep the person for 10 days and release them, no matter what.
I have had my daughter in one of these failities, and since she is over 18 they won’t speak to me, due to the HIPAA laws, which I am well aware of since I work in the Health care Industry.. The put the person there, they don’t get any treatment, individually or with family, then released to the same situation they were in. Where else do you turn to?
I personnaly have called my child’s mental health provider and all I get is a recording, “If this requires immediate call back, leave your name and number and your call will be returned within 72 hours.“
My child could be dead with in 72 hours!!!!
We need someone who cares and realizes that this is something that needs more than 10 days of insurance money to deal with!
Please forward condolences to this lady’s family. May God bless and comfort them.
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