Noteworthy from www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov, the word "stigma" literally means "a mark of shame or disgrace." A group of stigmatized people are seen as "less than" the rest of the population and may be subject to prejudice and discrimination. Stigma can erode an individual's sense of belonging and lead to hopelessness and isolation. Stigma contributes to suicide by making people with mental health concerns less willing to seek treatment. It also makes healing more difficult for family members and other survivors who feel judged if someone they cared about died by suicide. The report of the U.S. Surgeon General states that stigma regarding mental illness has been a barrier to treatment for decades and appears to be worse in rural areas.

The state of Idaho has a mandated responsibility to its people to secure the funding needed for mental health care and it has failed miserably. The second leading cause of death in Idaho is suicide. Idaho's suicide rate is fourth highest in the U.S. Suicide attempts cost Idaho $36 million with suicide completions at $850,000 annually for medical care.

The National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) has scored Idaho with an "F" grade in Category I: Health Promotion and Measurement: Basic measures, such as the number of programs delivering evidence-based practices, emergency room wait-times, and the quantity of psychiatric beds. Idaho's current state hospital in Blackfoot has a bed count of approximately 106. Combined with the state hospital in Orofino having 55 beds brings the count up to 161, hardly a number to be proud of considering we are rated the fourth highest in the nation. Idaho received a "D" grade in all other categories which can be reviewed at the www.nami-boise.org website.

The answer to reducing stigma is to broaden people's understanding and knowledge of mental illness by replacing misunderstanding, stigma, fear and judgment with insight, understanding, awareness and acceptance. It is not shameful or disgraceful for a person who suffers from a lung, heart, kidney or liver condition to retain help. The brain is just another organ in our body that should be treated likewise.

It has been estimated that each death by suicide leaves behind 6 to 8 people who will be profoundly affected. It is likely that we all have a friend, family member, or acquaintance who suffers some form of mental illness or has taken his or her own life.

Hopefully, our community will come together, eradicate stigma, and support this cause. There are endless programs that we can engage ourselves in to help. If you are one of the 6 to 8 people who have been affected by suicide, or living with a loved one who has a mental illness, I would encourage you to visit www.namicoeurdalene.org website for a list of educational programs and area mental health support groups. Suicide Prevention Action Network (SPAN) of Idaho is also a good website, www.spanidaho.org.

* Inspired by Cindy Wall's letter of April 12: "Suicide: It has a human face"

JoAnn Lokken is a Coeur d'Alene resident.