The Neptune Warrior

(Names and timelines Changed and posted with consent of the parties involved)

In the sweltering heat of August 2020, Emily, a former military medic, found herself engulfed in a profound sense of despair. Since her honorable discharge from the service two years prior, life had become an unending battle against invisible foes. The vivid memories of her tours in conflict zones, the faces of young soldiers she couldn’t save, and the deafening silence of peace at home haunted her. Emily felt increasingly disconnected from her surroundings, including her loving husband, Mark, who struggled to breach the impenetrable wall of her inner turmoil.

The Tipping Point

The tipping point came on a seemingly ordinary weekday. Mark, a high school teacher, had left for work early, leaving Emily alone with her spiraling thoughts. The weight of her emotional burden had become unbearable. Surrounded by the quiet of their home, she decided that the only escape from her pain was to end her life. She planned her departure meticulously, choosing a time before Mark’s return, believing that her absence would ease his life.

The Life-Changing Intervention

As the clock ticked towards her chosen hour, Emily gathered a bottle of sleeping pills. However, fate intervened in the form of a phone call from an old army buddy, Laura. Sensing something amiss in Emily’s tone, Laura rushed over, arriving just in time to find Emily staring blankly at the bottle in her hand. What followed was a heart-wrenching confrontation of pain, tears, and unspoken fears. Laura, a fellow veteran who had trodden a similar path of despair, spoke of her own experiences, her battles with depression, and how she found solace in unexpected places.

The Historical Context of Suicide

The subject of suicide, often veiled in misunderstanding and stigma, presents a multifaceted spectrum of behaviors, motivations, and societal responses. This exploration delves into the historical context, the evolution of perceptions and interventions, and the intricate nuances that shape our current understanding of suicide.

The journey of understanding and addressing suicide has been long and convoluted, characterized by a mix of fear, stigma, and punitive measures. In the distant past, societies often resorted to harsh treatments for those who attempted or committed suicide. For instance, the Royal Humane Society of London, established in 1774, marked a significant shift. It moved away from the medieval perspective of punishing the suicidal, recognizing instead that these individuals often suffered from depression and required compassionate support.

The mid-20th century witnessed a pivotal shift with the contributions of Dr. Edwin Shneidman and Norman Farberow. Their seminal work in analyzing suicide notes revealed that most individuals who died by suicide were clinically depressed and were not necessarily intent on dying. Their findings challenged existing notions and established the foundation for modern suicide studies and prevention strategies.

Direct vs. Indirect Suicide

Suicide manifests not only in direct, overt acts but also through indirect, high-risk behaviors. These include life-shortening actions such as persistent heavy drinking despite medical warnings, reckless driving, and dangerous drug use. The categorization of these behaviors as suicidal acts is complex. For example, the continuation of heavy drinking by a person diagnosed with alcohol use disorder and cirrhosis, leading to death, is typically classified as a natural death rather than suicide. However, the underlying self-destructive intent cannot be overlooked.

The Nuances of Indirect Suicide

Historically, indirect forms of suicide have been recognized in various manifestations. In 1637, John Sym highlighted indirect methods like excessive eating and drinking. Freud’s concept of “half-intentional self-destruction” suggested that some deaths resulted from an unconscious death wish. Carl Meninger’s extensive cataloging of self-destructive behaviors, such as “slow suicide” or “sub-intentional death,” further expanded the understanding of these indirect forms.

The Complexity of Victim-Precipitated Suicide

Victim-precipitated suicide, where individuals provoke their death at the hands of others, adds another layer of complexity. This phenomenon includes cases of ‘suicide by cop,’ where suicidal individuals engage in behavior that leads to being fatally shot by police. Internationally, similar behaviors are observed, such as the ‘running amok’ phenomenon in Malaysia or certain prisoner behaviors in 18th-century Australian prisons to circumvent religious prohibitions against suicide.

The Modern Landscape of Suicide Prevention

Today, the field of suicide prevention has grown significantly. The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention, updated in 2012, reflects ongoing efforts in the U.S. and abroad to address this complex issue. There is a growing acknowledgment that preventing suicide requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing public health strategies, mental health care, community support, and the breaking down of stigmas associated with mental health issues.

Discovering a Lifeline: Diving with Vets

Laura introduced Emily to a veterans’ support group that focused on scuba diving as a form of therapy. Initially skeptical, Emily found herself intrigued by the idea of exploring a world so different from the one she struggled in. She took a leap of faith and joined the group on a diving trip. Underwater, in the serene silence of the ocean, Emily experienced a profound sense of peace. The weightlessness of diving provided a stark contrast to the heaviness she carried in her heart.

A New Chapter

Over the next few years, Emily’s journey with diving transformed her. The support group, composed of fellow veterans, became her second family at times. Though there are times she chooses to stand apart from the group at times, she often interacts behind the scenes and with just a few individuals in the group. They share stories, offere shoulders to lean on, and find healing in the depths of the water or small shallow water sessions where she can do underwater yoga and meditation exercises. Diving has become more than a hobby; it is a lifeline that pulled her back from the brink.

Today, Emily stands as a testament to the power of intervention and the healing potential of finding a supportive community. She volunteers with the diving group often behind the scenes helping as a resource for other outlets or helps with benefits when a vet needs them. Still, helping other veterans discover the therapeutic wonders of the underwater world is her primary focus and the last few summers has recommended diving for others. 

Emily’s story is a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there are unseen hands ready to pull us back into the light.

Conclusion

The journey from punitive measures and stigma to a more nuanced understanding and compassionate approach to suicide represents a significant evolution in societal attitudes and medical perspectives. The pioneering work of early psychologists and the growing awareness of mental health issues have contributed to a deeper, more empathetic understanding of those struggling with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. As we continue to build on these foundations, there is hope for more effective strategies to reduce the incidence of suicide and provide better support for those in crisis. The exploration of suicide, both direct and indirect, reveals the complexity and diversity of experiences and challenges us to continually seek better understanding and solutions.

Emily’s journey from a brink of despair to a life of purpose and passion underscores the importance of timely intervention and empathy in battling mental health issues. Her transformation also highlights the unique power of alternative therapies, like scuba diving, in providing solace and a sense of belonging to those who have served. Her story continues to inspire and offer hope to many who struggle silently, reminding us all that even the deepest wounds can heal with time, support, and the courage to embrace new beginnings.