Suicide Prevention: Break the Silence #JimKaz

By Eileen Fleming

[Ventura, California] I learned of my brother’s suicide via Facebook last week and because all suicides are preventable I must now learn and share all I can learn regarding WHY 53 year old James A. Kasmir went on a drinking binge and put his head in a noose then died by self-inflicted strangulation.

I must learn WHY my brother was prescribed an addictive toxic combination of antidepressants, tranquilizers and pain pills.

I must learn WHY after my brother had weaned himself off of a particular narcotic he was placed back on it four months later after complaining of headaches!

 

WHY would a Dr. even prescribe narcotics to treat headaches?

I must learn WHY after Jim failed to keep his last three Psychiatric appointments, I was not notified because I am my brothers keeper and immediate next of kin;

 

But I only learned after he hung himself that Jim had been expressing suicidal thoughts for the last 18 months to at least ONE person who is well aware that I am a nurse married to a physician.

 

WHY didn’t that person who has my phone numbers call me especially when that person was well aware that over the last 18 months Jim’s divorce became final, he moved twice and was to begin a full time job in a totally new field which he had just been hired for!

 

I want to know WHY my brothers psychiatrist, Dr. Vania D. Manipod, DO  has not returned the Medical Examiners phone call so that James Kasmir’s family will know his diagnosis;

Because all we know is his Family Dr. only treated him for headaches, back pain and hypertension.

 

I want America to know the gatekeepers at Kaiser Permanente W Ventura cannot have compassion on a grieving family because of “patient confidentiality” laws which may force the Kasmir family to hire a lawyer and obtain James Kasmir’s medical records when all we want to know is his diagnosis and prescription list.

 

Maybe I Better Call Saul

 

For sure I want the youth and parents who knew Jim from his work “with Straight Up since its start in 2005” to know he had forgotten to remember he could always call his sister if he were in trouble!

I need them to know because Jim “has guided countless young people, showing them the joys of improvisation, theatre, video production and so much more” that my comment posted at the “In memory of our friend” page at the “Straight Up Reality Improv”* site was censored and comments have closed despite the fact the page still reads:

If you’d like to share a memory or comment about Jim, please use the form below.

 

What was censored:

My brother hung himself due to a a combo of antidepressants, tranquilizers, binge drinking, and ONLY because he only confided in ONE person who was the last person to see him alive and TEXT him- IF that person had called 911 my brother could have been saved before he drank himself into a stupor and put his head in a noose!

ALL that person had to do was call 911- OR ME, Jim’s sister a nurse married to a Dr. who were NEVER TOLD OF my brothers diagnosis or about the meds he was on, I as Jim’s legal next of kin would have placed him in a long term treatment center so be could be compassionately weaned off ALL the prescribed POISON his Dr.’s were giving him.

 

 

 I also want to know WHY my comments at the Ventura Improv Company Facebook page was censored when all I did was invite his friends to post their Jim stories to my Facebook page dedicated to him

 

The Latest News + Notes link at the Ventura Improv Company features In memory of Jim Kasmir

This past week, the Ventura Improv Company lost one of our best friends and great improv minds, Jim Kasmir. For those of you who knew him, on-stage or off, you knew a good guy, an accomplished musician AND magician, a fine teacher, improviser and friend.

The kids and teens who learned theatre from Jim will never forget his style and his generous spirit.

There isn’t one VIC family member who can’t immediately recall their favorite Jim moment on stage — when he’d get that spark in his eye, all bets were off. He’d charge in from left field and find that perfect and hilarious and completely unexpected moment.

Improv training offers great advice for living life; as we remember Jim, let’s remember to take care of each other. Let’s play nice. Let’s find adventure. Let’s be here, now. We love you now and always, Jim.

 

 

In a report released on October 8, 2014 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ALL leading causes of death in the United States declined except for suicide.

 

While suicide is America’s newest leading cause of death, it is always PREVENTABLE but we must break the silence!

 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention lists these warning signs and the more warning signs, the greater the risk.

 

Talk

If a person talks about:

• Killing themselves.
• Having no reason to live.
• Being a burden to others.
• Feeling trapped.
• Unbearable pain.

Behavior

A person’s suicide risk is greater if a behavior is new or has increased, especially if it’s related to a painful event, loss, or change.

• Increased use of alcohol or drugs.
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching online for materials or means.
• Acting recklessly.
• Withdrawing from activities.
• Isolating from family and friends.
• Sleeping too much or too little.
• Visiting or calling people to say goodbye.
• Giving away prized possessions.
• Aggression.

Mood

People who are considering suicide often display one or more of the following moods.

• Depression.
• Loss of interest.
• Rage.
• Irritability.
• Humiliation.
• Anxiety.

 

Find Help HERE

This Sunday at the Ventura Improv Company people who knew Jim will gather to honor my baby brother who moved from Florida to California over 30 years ago. I will remain on the east coast honoring my brother by doing all I can to learn WHY he died from suicide, which is always a preventable disease.

*Straight Up is a Ventura County, California youth development project for ages 12-25 that promotes social change regarding underage and binge drinking, impaired driving, marijuana, prescription drug misuse and other concerns using improvisation and interactive techniques to engage discussion, explore issues, and develop personal and community solutions to these issues. Straight Up is made possible through funding from Ventura County Behavioral Health Department, Alcohol and Drug Programs.

Learn More and STOP Another Brother’s Suicide #JimKaz

 

In 2005, Eileen Fleming founded WeAreWideAwake in response to her first of 8 trips to both sides of The Wall in Israel Palestine. This article birthed her latest mission from God.