Suicide is not an easy topic to discuss, but that’s precisely the reason that I feel so passionate about my work with the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas. On March 20, we will hold our second annual Fashion Stars for a Cause Gala to help support the SCC, and I’d like to encourage all my friends and readers here to get involved in any way that you can. If that means attending the event, if that means buying a shirt, or if that means posting about it on social media, it will be a valuable contribution.
I was stunned and saddened by the news that New Zealand born TV host and former model, Charlotte Dawson, took her life over the weekend. She was well known for TV shows like Australia’s Next Top Model and had dealt with depression in the past. Beautiful Charlotte was my good friend Nick’s dear friend, and I had the pleasure of meeting this dynamic woman. Though we weren’t close, I share this tragic loss with so many around the globe. This is a reminder that we must be vigilant because suicide and suicidal ideations haunt those we least expect. People we know and admire may silently struggle. To understand suicide crisis from an attempter’s point of view, please read Julia’s story; she was able to conquer her enemy. Today, this healthy woman wants to help others do the same. There is hope and help.
A couple of months ago, I was selected as one of the twelve Fashion Stars for a Cause to represent the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas (SCC). As founder of Model Behaviors, I really take the behaviors aspect seriously because I believe that we are all multidimensional multitaskers. I don’t see why we can’t look good, feel good, have fun, and be deeply committed to our communities all at the same time, and that means delving into hard issues that need our attention. Over the next few months, our job as Fashion Stars is simple: Help raise funds and awareness. So, in order to wrap our minds around suicide and how it affects all of us, let’s look at the national statistics. The New York Times recently reported that the rate of suicide among middle-aged Americans, ages 35 to 64, has escalated dramatically in recent years, experiencing a 30% increase, which is partly attributed to the easy access we have to prescription medication. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more people dying from suicide each year than from car accidents. For the entire month of February, the month of love and putting others first, Model Behaviors will honor its commitment to the SCC and feature exclusive interviews from different sides of this complex issue. Hopefully, on our journey, we’ll gain some clarity on how to help those who, unbeknownst to most, are living on the margins of society.
For many, the holiday season brings parties, gifts, and fun with family and friends. But for some, the holidays can be stressful and depressing. The scary part is that often you don’t know who is struggling. Check out our online interview with Margie Wright, Executive Director, Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas. Millions of people have been affected by suicide, and the more we talk about it, the better chance we have to save lives. Learn more about this widespread, yet taboo, issue and how you can make a difference.
