There would be a temptation among some on the left to make light of this but that will never happen here.

There is nothing funny about mental health breaks, threats to harm oneself, or suicide, not by anyone, not even people we loathe.

Brad Parscale is one of the lucky ones. According to the Florida Sun-Sentinel, Parscale’s wife called the police to say that Parscale was armed and had made threats to harm himself – sometimes code for suicidal. We say he was lucky because the police went to the residence, defused the situation, and took Parscale to the hospital. We hope that he regains his health.

We say that he is lucky. Many of us (most?) will go through an intense mental crisis in our lives, not necessarily suicidal, but acute pain. Few talk about it. Parscale went through his with a wife who knew what to do. She did not worry about stigmas nor simply hope it was a phase. Moreover, many people, especially in the black communities or in poorer areas, find that “welfare checks” with the police too often end with the police shooting the very person they were called to help. Before we make this an “anti-cop” diatribe (which are often richly deserved) these are some of the tensest situations in which police are called. A firearm is present, innocent people are present, “suicide by cop” is a thing, and suicide by cop often starts by firing at cops. If someone is willing to take their own lives, they are often capable of taking others with them.

So again, Brad is lucky. Everything worked as it should. He is now hospitalized. Often these crises pass with time, medication, therapy, and love from family. None of it is possible if someone makes a split decision with a gun. And unlike some other forms of attempted suicides, guns are not cries for help, they are final.

We are very glad he’s safe.

We also ask that everyone try to be attentive to the mental health of the people around them. Society must remove the stigma (which is slowly going away) attached to mental health breakdowns. People who clearly need help are often too afraid to ask. So simply offer. If needed, insist. If one wants to be pro-life, this is the best way to demonstrate it.

The national suicide hotline is invaluable: 800-273-8255

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Peace, y’all
Jason
[email protected] and on Twitter @MiciakZoom