Leader Inspires Hope for Suicide Prevention
By Luke Schmaltz, VOICES Newsletter Editor
Maura Weir is the Chief Wellness Officer and the Director of Student Wellness and Counseling at Cape Cod Community College. She has received numerous awards for her work in prevention, intervention, and postvention. These include the Massachusetts Coalition for Suicide Prevention Leadership Award and commendations from the U.S. Navy. Weir has presented nationally and internationally on the topic of suicide while working to improve crisis response, outreach, and support.
In a conversation with VOICES, Weir speaks about communication, grief, stigma, and why support is vital to prevention.
VOICES: In a recent article in the Provincetown Independent, you mentioned that all schools have suicide prevention protocols, but some are implementing them and some are not. Why do you think this is?
Weir: There appears to be a disconnect between perceived and actual risk of suicide which may explain why schools do not develop or implement prevention and response plans, despite the “disaster preparedness” measures most of them take to prepare for other emergencies. It is also a question of staffing and whether or not it is the school's responsibility to educate on this matter.
V: From an educator's perspective, what can be done to diminish the stigma that goes along with talking to kids about suicide?
Weir: For people who experience a mental health problem, the shame and silence can be as bad as the symptoms themselves. Your attitude to mental health could change someone’s life. Make it like every other conversation about their health. Educators can lead discussions and events for individuals with and without mental health concerns. This will help improve attitudes, increase future willingness to help, and promote behaviors associated with breaking the stigma about the taboo of suicide.
V: Families of those who have died by suicide face stigma. What is an ideal way of creating a better understanding of what survivors are going through?
Weir: Grieving and dealing with the changes that follow any death is never easy. However, those who are bereaved by suicide often feel particularly isolated at a time when they are in severe emotional pain. An ideal way to help is by doing what you would do in any other death of a loved one, such as sending a card, dropping over a cooked meal, and letting them know you care by offering a non-judgmental ear.
V: How and to what degree can grief influence someone's decision to consider suicide?
Weir: Grief is a natural response to loss. The feelings of sadness and loneliness experienced with grief can be very strong. The pain of grief can also disrupt physical health, making it difficult to sleep, eat, or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss, and the more significant the loss, the more intense the grief will be. If someone’s grief is about the loss of a loved one, the longing to be with that person may influence them to consider suicide. Those grieving, if able, can attend peer support groups or seek out face-to-face support from people who care about them.
V: How do you cope with the occupational grief that may be the result of working in your field?
Weir: Social support from colleagues — formally and informally – are useful ways for me. I use my Employee Assistance Program and participate in clinical supervision, and I also make space to process the emotions from what I witness daily and that helps me balance my work and family life.
V: How do you take time for yourself?
Weir: I like to travel and visit with friends. I also like down time where there is no crisis or grief and just be in that moment. I go for walks, watch a funny program, and try to rest my body.
V: What self-care and coping advice can you offer to someone who is newly bereaved?
Weir: When you're grieving, it's more important than ever to take care of yourself. The stress of a major loss can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves. Looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through this difficult time.
V: What initiatives or events do you look forward to in your effort to spread awareness and prevent suicide?
Weir: I am currently working locally to set up a program for those recently bereaved from suicide. It is called Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS). It is a statewide initiative with local teams that can respond to a suicide death. Teams will have suicide loss survivors reaching out to the newly bereaved in the effort to provide an installation of hope.
V: Can you summarize the fundamental tenets of suicide prevention?
Weir: To prevent suicide, we need to be able to talk about it without fear or shame. How we talk about suicide matters. The most powerful tool we have for preventing suicide is showing care, compassion, and empathy to those contemplating it. Suicide-related messages must support safety, help-seeking, and healing — however they are delivered. We must continue to learn more about suicide and mental health through increased research efforts. In doing so, we can teach everyone how to help prevent suicide and strengthen mental health while advocating for improved access to care and robust crisis services.