Omaha ForUs Mourns Recent Suicide Losses

Omaha ForUs mourns the heartbreaking loss of several members of the local LGBTQ+ population to separate incidents of suicide over the past few weeks. These individuals were beloved and valued members of this community.

“Our hearts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of those we have lost, as well as all those affected by these tragedies,” says Omaha ForUs Executive Director, JohnCarl Denkovich. “We must lean on one another to exchange support as we navigate our individual and collective grief, remembering that we are never alone.”

It is common to feel overwhelmed, hurt, confused, angry, or even numb. Whether through self-care, connecting with a trusted friend, or reaching out to a mental health professional, taking care of our mental and emotional health is essential.

Suicide loss is complex, multifaceted, and tragic. To protect the privacy of the deceased and afford their loved ones the ability to process the immense weight of their loss, Omaha ForUs will not publicly disclose names or speculate on causal factors related to these deaths. Rather, our efforts focus on pulling together and helping our community find supportive resources.

Some best practices when discussing suicide include:

1. Use non-stigmatizing, factual language such as “died by suicide” or “killed themselves.”
2. Avoid simplifying or glamorizing suicide, such as speculating on a single cause, nor referring to such acts as “successfully completed” or “committed.”
3. Suicide is a complex intersection of medical and environmental factors. There is never a simple or obvious reason that someone dies by suicide. Suicide is never a natural or forgone result of any life experience.
4. Encourage help seeking behaviors and center hope and recovery in all suicide-related discussions.
5. Avoid discussions of the method of suicide or contents of a person may have left.

“It’s important to understand that while rates of suicidality and poor mental health outcomes are higher among LGBTQ+ individuals compared to non-LGBTQ+ peers, this is not due to LGBTQ+ identity in and of itself. Rather, marginalization, discrimination, and the effects of social stigma contribute to these disproportionately higher rates among our community,” Denkovich added.

Omaha ForUs is committed to being a safe and affirming space for our community to experience the full range of human emotions. For the foreseeable future, a member of our mental health care team and supportive community partners will be available to provide peer support during our operating hours. Protective factors, including social support, access to affirming mental and physical health care, and communities that encourage help seeking behaviors are essential to preventing suicides and providing support for survivors.

Our team remains ready to provide support to our community, our stakeholders, and our partners. For additional mental health resources, or to bring affirming training to your organization, please visit https://www.omahaforus.org/best-life or email bestlife@omahaforus.org. For suicide prevention education, resources, or related questions, please contact the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Nebraska Chapter at www.afsp.org/nebraskaSuicide prevention is a public health issue and each of us can make a
difference.

If you are in crisis, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Looking Forward

We will host a Community Care Day, November 5th, as a respite for any LGBTQ+ person feeling impacted by the election and associated political stress. We will also host an event in late November in recognition of both National Transgender Day of Remembrance and International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day – details forthcoming on our website (www.OmahaForUs.org).

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Omaha ForUs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, focused on building intentional community and creating equitable space in service to LGBTQ+ individuals & families of eastern Nebraska, western Iowa. The Organization operates an Omaha-based community center where culturally responsive programs and services are delivered to those in need.

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