Beautifully stated, my Tater-iffic Friend!!
You did a much better job expressing the same thoughts that have been tearing around my brain every time I enter this thread. I've lost friends and family to suicide, and mental illness. They don't ALL cry out for help first like George did in his own way. My Uncle went to the funeral home, paid in advance for his elderly Mother's funeral service and plot, paid for his funeral service and plot. Thanked the Funeral Director, walked out to his Truck, and got his gun. After which he sat down under the closest tree in the parking lot, and blew his head off. He left behind a new wife, and infant child. We had no noticeable warning signs, no phone calls, no hint whatsoever of trouble. Nor did he even choose to leave a suicide note. One minute he was there, the proud father of 5 grown children, and one new baby girl, and the next we were picking out his suit for the Funeral. I have always thought that the whole thing could have been prevented if he had given anyone the tiniest hint that something was amiss. But there was no giant George Anthony sized pile of Breadcrumbs to follow in my Uncle's case. There was just his brains splattered all over the Oak Tree at the Funeral Parlor.
Maybe George wasn't 100% full on serious about ending his life that day, but the fact that he made statements about wanting to harm himself, and needed to join his Granddaughter in Heaven, tells me he was screaming for help!! Plus I don't know how many people here have had to commit a loved one, but in order to have someone committed and held over after the initial 72 hours, there must be certain criteria in place that strongly suggest the patient needs further stabilization. They don't just extend inpatient mental health stays because it's fun! Slice it however you want, right or wrong, George needed help.
What's saddest to me about this whole scenario is the fact that George STILL needs help, but the likelihood of him getting that help now that he has returned to the extremely negative atmosphere in his personal life just isn't very good. Personally, I don't think this is the last time this particular crisis will rear it's ugly head in this case. All of the trigger's that pushed him over the edge in the first place are still alive and well. Coping mechanisms alone are not going to be enough to hold his head above water during the continuing flood of heartbreak. He needs a strong support system, and we all know that just isn't in place in that household. There have already been too many casualties in this sad, sad, case.
I have no desire to add another body to the ever growing pile unless her name is Cayseeomarie Anthony.
My 0.08 cents on the issue.