"People of Consequence"
 

by Jeanne Moren, Volunteer SOS Facilitator

Consider this: Aren't we all "People of Consequence?"

For me it started about 30 years ago. A few years after my husband's death. I became deeply concerned about how suicide was covered by the media. I spent time clipping articles, reacting to cartoons, and writing responses to anything appearing in the media that seemed to demean or misrepresent survivors. I also wrote letters in reacton to articles and reports that were supportive, that gave good information about suicide and reducing stigma. I became aware of organizations that recommended reasonable guidlines for media reporting based on study and satistics and
I would sometimes include a copy along with my comments.

One of the terms often used at that time was, "Persons of Consequence." When someone was well known, locally or nationally, the story of their suicide death became more newsworthy and sometimes even universally reported. The guidelines warned of the dangers of reporting details or romanticizing these paticular deaths. It is true that the actions of someone well known or admired may be more widely idolized or copied.

Fortunately the term has now been replaced in Media Guidelines with the word Celebrity". It seems to be a more appropriate word to describe one who has risen to fame or recognition. Helpful Media Guidelines are now offered by organizations such as AAS (American Association of Suicidology and AFSP American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) and are easily accessed on the internet.

I believe that all of us, includng those who died by suicide are "people of consequence." We know that those who have been lost from our lives have left countess survivors. All of our loved ones were of consequence and remain so in our memory. As survivors we prove our consequence by our very existence and willingness to move forward each day.

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SOS of Dane County Newsletter Jan. 2011

Thank you so much for sharing this (((Alffeeee))))
:hug: