People who are incarcerated sometimes start to develop a diminished capacity to cope with their pain...
They're under stress, and being confined to a small prison cell, at some point they can begin to feel trapped and helpless.
"Steven" was going through this. By his actions, he was clearly communicating to me that he was in distress. He was losing his ability to cope with his incarceration. And I know, from my own struggles and experiences with suicidal thoughts and actions, that in this environment suicide is seen (tragically) as a way to escape the seemingly unending pain and frustration that manages to build up more and more as time goes on.
Steven was depressed. The holidays are approaching, and he misses his family. So I was glad that I was able to be there for him in this time of need. He did not openly express his depression or his suicidal thoughts to me, of course. Men, in general, seldom ask for help. But I have been trained to watch for the signs. Steven's actions were a loud cry for help that, fortunately, was heard.
D.B.
"Steven" was going through this. By his actions, he was clearly communicating to me that he was in distress. He was losing his ability to cope with his incarceration. And I know, from my own struggles and experiences with suicidal thoughts and actions, that in this environment suicide is seen (tragically) as a way to escape the seemingly unending pain and frustration that manages to build up more and more as time goes on.
Steven was depressed. The holidays are approaching, and he misses his family. So I was glad that I was able to be there for him in this time of need. He did not openly express his depression or his suicidal thoughts to me, of course. Men, in general, seldom ask for help. But I have been trained to watch for the signs. Steven's actions were a loud cry for help that, fortunately, was heard.
D.B.