Beacon of hope
Woman seeks to raise suicide awareness
By Chris Donahue
Staff Writer
Augusta Santos is willing to walk in the darkness if it will provide a ray of hope to those afflicted with depression or oth
er mental illnesses.
Santos, a member of St. Ann Parish, Raritan, is seeking sponsors for the 20-mile Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk sunset to sunrise June 9 and 10 in New York. The event is one of many activities Santos has become immersed in to promote suicide awareness since her husband, John, took his own life 2 ½ years ago.
The walk benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to fund research and produce educational programs.
“Mental illness affects 20 percent of Americans and there is not enough education about it,” Santos said. “Why should there be a stigma and shame about depression? It is an illness. This walk will help others to speak openly about it.”
Santos, who will walk with her two daughters, must raise a minimum of $1,000 to participate. Her team goal is at least $16,000.
‘Invisible’ problem
Nearly 600 people in New Jersey die by suicide each year, which is about 200 more deaths compared to homicide, said Wylie Tene, AFSP spokesman. Nationally, someone dies by suicide every 16 minutes, he said.
Suicide is the fourth-leading cause of death among adults 18-65; third-leading cause of death among teens and young adults; second-leading cause of death for college students and accounts for 20 percent of deaths among people older than 65, Tene said.
An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
“In general, society’s attitude towards the depressed and/or mentally ill population has not been a positive one,” Santos said. “Because depression is not visible, often these individuals are seen as weak, out of touch with God, out of control with their lives and this can cause unhealthy relationships. It is crucial that society put the stigma that surrounds suicide in the past and really understand that depression is treatable and people do live long and happy lives.”
Path to recovery
Santos and her husband, who was a construction worker, were married 16 years and had three children. Over time, he seemed to lose interest in the simple pleasures of life.
“I watched him living his dark days in agony,” Santos said. “He tried extremely hard to overcome his illness and to enjoy his life as a loving son, husband and dedicated father. John had a heart of gold; he cared and helped so many people, and was loved by even more.”
Santos said becoming an activist for suicide awareness has helped her cope with her husband’s death.
“This fills my heart and soul with strength,” she said. “God is guiding me. I am happy, I am smiling; maybe it hurts sometimes, but helping others helps me.”
Santos said she has always been an active member of her parish, but her husband’s suicide seemed to deepen her faith.
“At the beginning, I went to adoration daily and prayed,” she said. “I looked in Jesus’ eyes and asked him, ‘Why? I know he was ill, but you took him away from me, now please help me go on, to understand it.’ Looking deeply in his eyes, I felt a connection and him saying, ‘It will be OK. I will be there with you.’”
To enhance her ability to help others affected by mental illness, Santos is studying psychology at Raritan Valley Community College, Branchburg.
“I hope with all my hard work and efforts I can bring something to someone who will say, ‘There is hope for me. I am going to hold on. It is all worth it’,” she said.
Church teaching
The Catholic Church’s position on suicide has evolved over the years. Advances in medical science and psychology have guided the church in its understanding of the dynamics of suicide.
Msgr. Michael J. Alliegro, diocesan executive director, Worship and Liturgical Formation, cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2282 and 2283: “Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.
“We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.”
The church also now offers funeral Masses for those who have committed suicide. They where once prohibited by canon law. Santos’ husband received a funeral Mass in St. Ann Church
Signs and symptoms of depression
Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
Persistent sad, anxious or “empty” mood
Feelings of hopelessness, guilt, pessimism, worthlessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed
Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders and chronic pain
May is National Mental Health Month. For information online visit survivorsofsuicide.com, nami.org, and save.org.
For information on Out of the Darkness Walk, visit: www.outofthedarkness.org.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law