An expert’s look at the link between domestic violence and suicides

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — May is mental health awareness month, and an expert weighed in on the potential links between domestic violence and suicide.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, suicide is a major public health concern and is the 11th-leading cause of death in the nation.

Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard said she investigated more than 4,000 death cases in 2023. She said 78 of them were suicides.

Willard said some suicides may have had a domestic situation prior, but she wasn’t immediately able to confirm how many.

The National Institute of Mental Health defines suicide as death caused by self-directed harm with the intent to die.

Local mental health centers and shelters have resources available.

The “Naomi project” was started 17 years ago by Joyce Ford. She said it’s a transitional home for women who chose to not go back to their abuser in a domestic situation.

Ford was asked if she thinks domestic violence is linked to suicidal thoughts.

“I think it leads to murder than suicide,” she said. “So, what happens is, in the state of South Carolina, we’ve lost 40 people last year at the hands of a significant other.”

Ford said she’s helped thousands of women with resources but has also housed hundreds in a “safe home.”

She said often times, a woman has to leave seven times before she actually decides to get out of a situation.

Ford discussed at what point a victim should ask for help or contact the police.

“When it starts, because the emotional part of it is what’s really the worst part than the physical,” she said. “The emotional part leads to the physical part because there’s a cycle of violence wheel and in the beginning, it talks about the psychological part of what they do and then it goes into the physical, and then it goes into the honeymoon period. So, those three stages are what actually domestic abuse is.”

Ford reminds us that everyone is different and encourages society to not generalize situations, but to give support and resources to one another.

You can see what events the Naomi Project has coming up here.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis and is thinking about suicide, “the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline” is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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Jackie LiBrizzi is a multimedia journalist at News13. Jackie is originally from Hamilton, New Jersey, and was raised in Piedmont, South Carolina. Jackie joined the News13 team in June 2023 after she graduated as a student-athlete from the University of South Carolina in May 2023. Follow Jackie on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook , or Instagram , and read more of her work he r e .

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