AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com
I'm re-running this previous blog from 2020, because sadly,
the need for it hasn't ended. If anything, the need for it
become even more pronounced....
Not to mention that since the last running of this blog, a
cousin of mine dealing with mental health issues committed
suicide.
If you find that you're overwhelmed and considering suicide,
in the US you can call 988. 988 is the three-digit,
nationwide phone number to connect directly to the 988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. By calling or texting 988,
you'll connect with mental health professionals with the 988
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National
Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Here's that blog from 2020:
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Wrestling and mental health issues have again become all too
real in recent months.
Martin Eric Eason II (Eric Chapel) died suddenly in April
29, 2019, at his home at age 33.
Hardcore wrestling star Danny Havoc died suddenly on May 31,
two months after his wife's passing from heart failure only
weeks before.
Tom 'Z Barr' Hirshman died suddenly on July 21 at age 38.
Japanese joshi star Hana Kimura died suddenly at age 23 on
May 22 after cyberbullying.
In fact, those wrestlers and more "died suddenly" after
committing suicide. All too often we use euphemisms like
"died suddenly" to disguise when someone commits suicide,
because of the continued stigma attached to it.
Wrestlers of late have been even more subject to the
stresses and depression that can lead some to make that
choice: physical injuries.... drug and alcohol
abuse....relationship problems... money issues from the lack
of shows being run now in the era of COVID 19...fear of
getting COVID themselves and more.
A well-known independent wrestler who I won't name said to
me last week: "I know many of us are not in a good way for
many reasons."
CZW's Maven Bentley added the following: "The world is a
crazy place. People are scared. And in a world of tough guys
and gals, not enough people are willing to ask for help or
show what they perceive as weakness. Admitting you need help
is a sign of strength. I know I have needed it recently and
I am thankful to those who offered listening ears and words
of encouragement."
Here are important statistics on mental health:
1 in 5 adults in the U.S.—43.8 million, or 18.5%—
experiences mental illness in a given year..
1 in 25 adults in the U.S.—9.8 million, or 4.0%—experiences
a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially
interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.
6.9% of adults in the U.S.—16 million—had at least one major
depressive episode in the past year.
18.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder
such as post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive
disorder and specific phobias.
As a society, we treat mental illness in an entirely
different manner than we treat physical illness. If someone
has a broken arm, they get it X-rayed and a cast put on it.
If someone has a hernia, as I have had, they get surgery. If
someone has cancer, they are treated with some combination
of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation to try to save their
life. If someone has an allergy, they take medication, or
avoid the item they are allergic to as much as possible (or
in some cases, avoid it completely). But no one thinks twice
about it.
But if someone is dealing with depression, anxiety, or
bipolar disorder, they are told to "snap out of it", to
"grow a spine", to "deal with it". No one would think of
saying those words to a child with leukemia...but they
would, and do, to those dealing with mental illness.
For those who are family members or friends of those who are
dealing with such illnesses....don't do those things. LISTEN
to those in your life suffering. Try to understand the
nature of what they are dealing with (and what as family
members, what you do as well). Try to help them get help and
do not give up on them.
Those mentioned above...and too many more... didn't get the
help they needed. If any of you feel alone, or in need of
someone to talk to, please do so. If you are reading this
blog, and dealing with depression, bi-polar disorder, or
other mental health issues, please understand YOU ARE NOT
ALONE.
As the numbers above show, you are FAR from alone. Please
talk to someone and use the resources here, or find someone
you trust to help you. You ARE worth helping. If you are
their family member or friend, call to get help with what
you can do to help them.
* Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) - (800) 826
-3632
* National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)- 1-800-950-NAMI
(6264)
