Marie Osmond's Son Commits Suicide

The American population is reeling from the news that Josh Koenig, "Boner" from the famous 80's sitcom Growing Pains, and the son of Walter Koenig, Chekov from the original Star Trek series took his life. In the very same week the news is out that Michael Blosil, the 18-year-old son of Marie Osmond committed suicide by jumping out of a window 8 floors above the ground.

Both these men suffered from depression. Koenig stopped taking his medication. Koenig did not leave any other clues, though Michael texted a female friend on Friday night advising her to look in her apartment for a suicide note. His friend and roommate found the note with a list the last things Michael would do on this earth.

It was already too late to save him. Michael was sober the last time they had seen him alive however, he did leave another forewarning before taking his life. He attempted suicide once before.

Celebrities and children of celebrities often experience overwhelming stress and many of them turn to alcohol, drunks. and suicide. Yet suicide and depression is very common among the general population as well. Depression is a major health concern in Canada and the United States. Although not all depression is serious enough that the victims decide to take their own lives, no clinical depression should go untreated.

If you know of someone who is seriously depressed, do not ignore it, even if you do not see any signs of suicide, a therapist is in a better position to determine that. If the individual is young, alert the parents and encourage them to seek professional help for their child. If you are the parent of a child that needs help then alert the school, the school psychologist, or guidance counselor. Seek help from your local community mental health center. Do not wait until a tragedy like this occurs.

Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in both the USA and Canada. Quebec has the highest suicide rate in Canada, with 14 deaths for every 1,00,000 people (2007 statistics).

Places in Montreal for help with suicide and depression:

Suicide Action Montreal
http://suicideactionmontreal.org/index.php?page=home

Jeunesse j'écoute Kids' help phone - 800 668-6868

Tele - Aid - 514 - 935-1101

Tel - Jeunes - 514 -288 - 2266

Sources:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml
http://www.ontario.cmha.ca/fact_sheets.asp?cID=3965
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/marie-osmonds-son-left-alarming-note-before-suicide-report-2010282