The January 7, 2023 suicide of a Steilacoom High School student has created the “worst nightmare” for a Steilacoom family.
“The morning of Reese Widman’s death, he sent his parents a text message. Corey and Kelly rushed to him as fast as they could, but when they arrived at his car, he was already gone.” Read the rest of the story at The News Tribune website (may require a subscription).
KIRO7 also has this story on their website here.
There can be no greater pain than losing a child in this manner. Our young people are suffering and have not yet learned how to ask for help. There are so many, many people struggling to make sense of this crazy world we have created. We absolutely need more mental health counselors in schools…a place where these kids can go to just to talk, share their concerns, and learn some skills in coping with their inner turmoil. We MUST demand that the legislature provide these caregivers to EVERY school before we lose any more of our precious children.
To Corey and Kelly Widman and friends, your news brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. It is so sad.
My first experience with suicide came when I was 6 years old. After that and counting my 25 years as a police officer, along with my time served answering a suicde line in Washington State, my experience with suicides just kept piling up. Suicide is not something you ever forget.
Instead of sharing more of my thoughts, I can state that I can’t say it better than Pat in her comment above.
Mr. & Mrs. Widman, thank you in advance for the work you have planned to help other families and teenagers and simultaneously honor your son, Reese Widman.
Joseph Boyle – Former Lakewood Resident 51 Years.
As the parent of a teenager today, I know how challenging it is to help them navigate today’s mad world.
The best advice I remember as a kid came as words I did not want to hear, but they were words that stuck with me and made sense when nothing else did.
I don’t believe that government-supplied counselors is the answer to our mental health crisis, as I have seen the worst damage to one’s psyche come by way of collective attack from government. It seems to be sport these days, as a prelude to the theft of freedom.
Faith in a higher power has always gotten me through the worst of times.
I have witnessed and cleaned up 3 suicides.
I read the notes that were left behind.
Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Keep your friends close, but those two feet you’re standing on and the decisions you make, are your own.
Brian Borgelt,
Your line, “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” is so on target. I have used these words for decades and have seen proof of this concept over and over.
These same words came to mind as I was writing my first response above, but I did not think they fit my narrative as well as they do yours. Thanks for sharing this valuable concept.
The more people who have these words in mind, the more individuals who might well be able to choose a different solution for a temporary problem.
Joseph Boyle
So sorry for your pain. I pray that our good Lord will provide strength and comfort for you in the coming days as only He is able
No one can truly understand the pain experienced by another who is suffering from depression. Even the sufferer cannot put it into words. Please know that those of us who have clinical depression do not see a way out of this pain. It has nothing to do with religion, I have a strong belief in God. I believe He will understand the torment this young man was going through and forgive him. Platitudes mean nothing when you feel cornered and in pain. There is no greater pain than to be in the throes of a deep depression, believe me. I count myself fortunate because I have medication to combat this terrible scourge, but there are times when even that has a tenuous hold. Please don’t make judgements, call in political doctrine, or give out statements such as yours. They don’t get through the all enveloping haze of pain being suffered. You trivialize what I’m feeling. It only compounds and show how little you know.
Willow,
With all due respect, you do not know our pain either.
No, I don’t. However, I don’t comment on it either.
Again with all due respect, no one made this about you except you.
We are commenting on the subject of suicide and mental health as it affects all of us these days.
No one has a monopoly on victimhood – no one.
Drugs and counseling are not for everyone.
Some of us just appreciate a place to share experience.
Thanks to the Suburban Times, we have that.
What we choose to do with the experiences of others: that’s on us as long as we remain a free people.
I wish you well.
You missed my point completely.
Willow I get it. Thanks for putting yourself out there and speaking out about stigma and understanding. Education is key and advocating for others is not “just about you.” There should not be barriers or fear to seeking support. Interesting “the Government” has done a great deal to provide Public Health Training. The Joshua Omvig Bill passed under President Bush quickly created a suicide prevention program focused on Veterans. The military was noted to been huge in desegregation. Suicide was a huge issue in the military and the plan to decrease stigma was seen as an opportunity. The Veteran partnered with SAMSHA to create the Veterans Crisis Line. Active duty and Veterans received trainings in order to be open to help and more importantly to increase confidence in There were millions of calls and while there were still suicides we will never know how many people lived.
The recent expansion to the National 988 Crisis line has received 1/2 million more calls in 5 months than the entire previous year. It is imperative people know it is not weakness to ask for help. If you had an appendicitis you would get help. It is actually a strength to seek help and is standing on your own two feet to improve your situation.
People are now more exposed to the conversations about suicide which is good. In our state there is a requirement for all providers and counselors to receive training. Previously it was not a requirement and people do not usually volunteer suicidal feelings.
School health classes would be provide some normalization of how kids can address feelings and who to talk to. Normally school counselors were told to call the police who would come and take the child to a crisis center or ER. This happened in our local school districts.
It is important to remember that a suicidal person may be surrounded by 100 caring persons, but if they are suffering so deeply they may not have the ability to ask. Thanks for standing up for those people.
Willow:
I obviously missed your point, too. All of what you said…
… “the sufferer cannot put it into words;
…. no greater pain than being in the throes of a deep depression;
…. getting through the haze of pain”
All of these statements suggest to me that a person experiencing any of these feelings desperately needs help with sorting it all out. This is not trivializing these feelings at all. But most people can be helped with proper counseling. It’s when they give up that things take a turn for the worse. Depression is not easily overcome…but it’s critical for our young people to seek help. They haven’t lived long enough to have learned how to handle all of this pain by themselves.
“Mis-begotten dreams alas, and bits of broken glass” ~James Taylor. Horrible outcome, my heart goes out to the family…