The sign of the dragonfly

During the month of September, approximately 1.3 million people in the U.S. will have suicidal thoughts, 142,000 will attempt suicide, and 4,000 will die by suicide, according to the Suicide Prevention Resource Center. In 2023, 142 North Dakota residents died by suicide, according to N.D. Vital Records.

"Compassion and human connection are powerful tools in suicide prevention. Reaching out, listening without judgment, and showing genuine care can provide the hope and support that someone in crisis needs,” said North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) Suicide Prevention Administrator Melissa Markegard in a press release Tuesday. “There are numerous resources available for those in crisis or those supporting someone in crisis. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for instance, offers 24/7 free and confidential support. We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with these resources and share them widely."

This past weekend, the Foster County Independent sponsored the 3rd Annual Carrington Out of the Darkness Walk, a program of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention organized locally by the Carrington Healthy Communities Coalition. With over 100 people in attendance, it was a beautiful day of remembrance and hope. Kudos to all those who make this event possible each year during Suicide Prevention Month.

While I was “on assignment” taking photos of the event (which are available online by clicking the “photo” tab at http://www.fosterconews.com), something on one of the team’s tables stopped me in my tracks.

There were dozens of handmade beaded dragonflies available for a free will donation from the team Mason’s Wings. Rural Cathay resident Jean Schuster, one of the team members, bent wire to form wings, then added sparkling translucent beads in a variety of colors and coordinated metal beads to form the body of the dragonfly. I particularly liked one made with teal and purple beads, the colors that symbolize suicide prevention and awareness.

“When dragonflies are here, it’s a sign that angels are near,” the card inside the purple drawstring bag read. I purchased that beautiful, handmade dragonfly and brought it home from the walk with me.

The next day, my daughter and I drove to Harvey to watch my son’s football game, and I showed her my new find. Her eyes lit up instantly when she saw it and she asked if she could have it.

I said yes, and I asked if there was a particular reason that it spoke to her. She explained that she often sees dragonflies outside the window of her apartment, just sitting there. She has seen them multiple days in a row at times, seemingly watching over her. After reading the card, she said she immediately thought of her friend Mason and her cousin Tyler, both who left this world much too soon. “They must be watching over me,” she said.

I came across this excerpt from “Waterbugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Children” by Doris Stickney, which is a beautiful explanation of the symbolism behind the dragonfly.

The Dragonfly

Once, in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, here lived a little water beetle in a community of water beetles. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions.

Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow beetles would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened; their friend was dead, gone forever.

Then, one day, one little water beetle felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top.

When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying.

So, fly he did! And, as he soared, he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed.

Then he remembered his beetle friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended.

But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!

This Suicide Prevention Month, I encourage readers to learn more about the resources available to those who struggle. Suicide prevention can and should happen everywhere that people live, work and play.

HHS encourages citizens to:

• Educate yourself and reach out: Learn the warning signs of suicide and how to help someone in crisis. Offering a listening ear can make a significant difference. Resources are available at http://www.hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health/prevention/suicide.

• Promote compassion: Foster empathy and judgment-free spaces in your home, workplace, and community to allow those struggling to seek help without fear of stigma.

• Know that help is a phone call away. North Dakotans are encouraged to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if they are experiencing thoughts of suicide, a mental health or substance use crisis, emotional distress, or if they have concerns for a loved one. In North Dakota, the 988 Lifeline is answered 24/7 by FirstLink, who can connect callers to HHS regional human service center mobile crisis teams for further assistance.

As part of September’s observance of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, HHS will host a webinar on the Dimensions of Wellness on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 12 p.m. CT. This webinar, hosted by Markegard, is free and available to the public. Register at hhsnd.site/dimensionsofwellnesswebinar2024.