We really do believe that trucking industry professionals are superheroes, and this story proves it. Get ready, though – it touches on a difficult topic that affects many of us, one that can be uncomfortable to think or talk about: suicide prevention.
On average, 117 people in in the United States alone commit suicide every day. And statistics say every suicide intimately or directly affects “at least six people.” That means we’ve seen it affect our friends, loved ones, or even co-workers.
Experts believe one of the best things we can do to help is to openly talk about the topic. It may seem unrelated to bring up our love of superheroes in the same breath as talking about those affected by suicide, but we’re far from the first to make the connection.
In 2011, Marvel Comics released a special Captain America story called A Little Help, a free-to-read story written by Dr. Tim Ursiny, a doctor of psychology. The story is a quiet, pensive tale of Captain America and a costumed villain that manages to deftly engage readers with the topic of suicide prevention alongside one of their favorite heroes, and includes a link to the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
Marvel Comics CEO Tom Breevort had this to say: “Superheroes fight a lot of battles, but there are few more important than combating suicide….If even one person calls this number instead of doing something very tragic, we know that means we succeeded.”
It’s not just the Avengers who have bravely faced such topics. In DC Comics’ 2008 graphic novel, All Star Superman, Superman is asked to fly up to a ledge and catch a woman threatening to jump. Rather than bring her down from the ledge against her will, Superman talks to her about her feelings and fears until she makes the choice to live, reminding us that he’s more than just super-strength and super-speed, he’s got a big heart, too.
MSP Metro Detroit
And in a marvelous case of reality mimicking fiction, trucking industry superheroes saved a life recently, too.
Last week, Michigan State Police responded to a call that a man was perched on an overpass and onlookers were afraid he might try to jump. Roads had been shut down in both directions, and the police weren’t having any success talking the man down from the ledge. Thinking quickly, state police put out a call to their semi-driving friends to see if any of them could come park under the overpass, lessening the distance the man would fall if he did decide to jump.
Amazingly, not one, but thirteen truck drivers showed up, blocking the man’s fall in an attempt to save his life. From there, responders were able to talk the man into coming down from the ledge, and through this incredible act of teamwork and compassion, a life was saved.
For those in crisis, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential care and support to individuals in crisis, or their loved ones, and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Fuel for Thought,
~Bob
