Bucks County Addressing Suicide Issue With Task Force

“I’ve had enough.” – Riley Matthew Moscatel in an Instagram post before his suicide by train in Bristol Township last week.

Suicide is a last resort for those that don’t see an end to their personal torment.

It shocks communities in a way unlike other traumatic events. It leaves  many asking the question, why?

The suicide of comic/actor Robin Williams caught headlines internationally due to his long  fight with mental health and substance abuse. Locally, the tragedy of and the subsequent response to the death of 17-year-old Riley Matthew Moscatel, a transgendered teen from Bristol Township, begs the question of what can be done to prevent these tragedies.

One of the many answers to that and many more questions will come from the Bucks County Suicide Task Force, which was formed by the Bucks County Commissioners in September of last year.

Brought  to the public’s attention by Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia, the task force is now working towards fulfilling its goal of providing a report three years from now, officials have said.

Marseglia, a professional social worker, has had the lived experience of confronting suicide head on in her personal life with the loss of her daughter to suicide in 2005. She champions the cause because it’s something has to be done for people thinking and feeling that way, she told LevittownNow.com.

In a phone interview Friday, Marseglia said the task force is meeting regularly and has developed several committees to address the different issues including survivors of suicide stand point to the data collected by county offices dealing with suicide.

“The Suicide Task Force will cast a wide net for membership and must include professionals in private and public practice of mental health, clergy, educators, survivors, the Coroner’s office, funeral directors, medical professionals and emergency responders,” Marseglia said.

“The numbers out there are startling” she said, “and that’s across all age groups and backgrounds and the commissioners and I just felt it was time to take this head on.”

According to data curated  by the Center for Disease, Prevention and Control (CDC) covering 2003-2011, Bucks County ranks 31st among the counties in the commonwealth with 11.68 suicides per 100,000.

A recently released study by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the  Williams Institute states 46 percent of transgender men and 42 percent of transgender women in the United States have attempted suicide. The number is far higher than the national suicide attempt average, which is just under 5 percent. Data on local suicides of transgender individuals was not available for review.

A privately funded organization, WorldLifeExpectancy.com displays data collected from the CDC report in a compelling infographic that spells out what the suicide task force is confronting.

The CDC ‘s most recent reports about suicide in the United States to a several trends, of note is the recent uptick in the number of deaths especially in middle aged nonhispanic men, which is being called a “silent epidemic.”

The task force is being spearheaded by the staff of Bucks County Department of Mental Health and Developmental Programs is  comprised of professionals in private and public practice of mental health, clergy, educators, survivors, the Coroner’s office, funeral directors, medical professionals and emergency responders, Marseglia said.

“Right now we have enough members for the task force and are in the planning stages as to what is going to be implemented,” she said, adding that educational such as short files and a walk are what is being discussed currently.

According to county officials, the four subcommittees created to deal issues faced by children and teens and survivors. The two other subcommittees deal with added training for emergency responders and reviewing data accumulated from county agencies.

Marseglia said that while the task force works towards its findings and issues a report there is one thing people can do to insure the pathway of ones life does not end in taking ones own life.

“More then anything, the one thing that will combat this is talking! Talking to someone about what’s going on that’s the one single thing that will change what we’re seeing,” Marseglia said. “That’s why we need an awareness movement and the driving idea behind the task force is awareness.”

On Sunday in remembrance of the life of Bucks County Technical High School in-coming senior Riley Matthew Moscatel, who was born Jessica Moscatel, balloons were let go at the SEPTA Croydon Train Station in remembrance of the lives she touched prior to taking her own life at the very station.

“There has to be a better way,” Kate Cimino,  Moscatel’s girlfriend told LevittownNow last week. “There has to be a way other than suicide,” she said.

The task force seeks to offer and drive home that very message.

Anyone in crisis can call any number of crisis hotlines in the area, such as Lenape Valley Foundations Crisis Hotline at  215 -785- 9765 or you can visit the LVF”s acute care center on the grounds of Lower Bucks Hospital at 501 Bath Road.

National Suicide Prevention Week and Day is in September. Candlelight Vigils are held throughout the nations and at the county courthouse.