"A Permanent Solution to a Temporary Problem"

I was just watching an episode of “Little House on the Prairie” in which a large tree falls on “Mr. Edwards,” as he is in the process of lumber jacking a forest. As a result, one of his legs is badly mauled, and he is bedridden for weeks. And during the course of those weeks he exhibits significant depression. 

Interestingly enough, at least to a counselor, as the segment progresses his spirits seemingly lift, and he and “Charles” head out to the woods in pursuit of venison. I say “interesting,” since the sudden change of mood turns out to be a ploy by Isaiah to “do himself in.” Of course, therapists are all too aware of people who, when they make an irrevocable decision to take their lives, suddenly display a cheerful demeanor, and become focused on what they feel they have to do.

At any rate, as the program falls together we see Isaiah and Charles go their separate ways in pursuit of those four-legged, antler-bearing animals; one final step in the crippled man’s plan to leave the cruel world behind. Before the episode concludes, it is Charles who counters Mr. Edwards’ plan with one of his own; which includes giving his bearded friend the wherewithal to get his mind off his own issues.

As a counselor I have intervened in the lives of thousands of men and women, boys and girls. And over the course of twenty plus years in this ministry I have come to the conclusion that I cannot do what I do without encountering and dealing with some very depressive people.

Among which are a very small minority who entertain, for lack of a better phrase, a death wish. And among that small minority exists an even smaller minority of folks who are ready, willing and able to act on that ideation.

I experienced several scenarios in which clients under my care attempted to harm themselves. I will never forget the purposeful one car collision, the individual who imbibed pills on three separate occasions, and the hanging. 

Thankfully, none of the foregoing, anonymous examples were fatal, and each and every one of these folks lived to see another day.

Mindsets can be extraordinarily powerful; whether good or ill. And as powerful as they are, you can only imagine how difficult it is to extinguish them.

In the book and movie, “Jane Eyre,” Mrs. Fairfax utters the proverbial question,

“What to do? What to do?”

And needless to say, her question fits very well at this juncture.

Those who exhibit a desire to leave this world prematurely are not to be trifled with. There was once a patient who informed his psychologist that he was on the verge of “ending it all.” As a result, his clinician lit on what he considered a splendid idea, and decided to practice a bit of “paradoxical intention” with him. “Dr. Simms” responded with, “Well, Jim, I think that’s a terrific idea. Just go home and spread some neoprene on the kitchen floor before you do the deed. You wouldn’t want to mess up your wife’s linoleum.” True to form. That’s exactly what Jim did… before pulling the trigger.”

Not good. Not good at all.

When an individual arrives at such a sensitive stage in the course of his existence, it is imperative that they be afforded professional counseling. And should that person issue a specific threat, he or she should be promptly transported to a local emergency room, or crisis unit.

Ultimately, the demarcation between illness and wellness may be wide, and may require a great deal of time to work through. While important, symptoms are less relevant than the geneses of such symptoms. 

It has been said that “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” And yet, for those who have experienced intense and prolonged depression, it has seemed anything but temporary.

The clinically depressed have reported that what they are experiencing is much like being locked in a room with no windows and no doors, and with no conceivable way to escape. People who live with symptoms of despair and hopelessness must be afforded a caring heart and listening ear, and be afforded the wherewithal to not only escape that room, but to experience renewed hope. 

It will take time and effort. But the results can be nothing less than amazing.


 By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 29, Copyright pending

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