'I wish I knew the pain he was in:' Alderman's death investigated as suicide, men's mental health comes to light

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee community continues to mourn the loss Alderman Jonathan Brostoff. His funeral service will be held this Friday, Nov. 8th, at 8 a.m. at the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts.

Alderman Brostoff death is being investigated by the medical examiner as a suicide.

He was an avid advocate for mental health, and it reminds us to think about something that often goes overlooked in our society, men's mental health.

"I wish I would have known the amount of pain he was in," said Mayor Cavalier Johnson.

On Tuesday, Mayor Johnson echoed the words we hear so often when someone dies by suicide.

"I'm proud to have called him a friend," said Johnson.

The medical examiner is investigating his death as a suicide after he was found dead in Greenfield Park on Monday.

"One of the leading causes of death in men is suicide it's something we need to address," said Dr. Tyler Rickers, medical director of depression recovery at Rogers Behavioral Health.

Dr. Rickers says the stigma around men's mental health is killing men in our community and signs are not always obvious.

"There's a concept called masking and masking is sometime a way to get through the day. It's often used especially in men, and it can get in the way of what's really going on," Dr. Rickers explained.

In the state of Wisconsin 76% of all suicide deaths are men.

According to data from the Milwaukee County Medical examiner's office, in 2023, 117 individuals died by suicide in Milwaukee County, of the total suicide deaths, 78.6% were men.

"There's a lot of stigma surrounding men's mental health. One way we can decrease stigma is having more open conversations," said Clare Martell, suicide prevention coordinator, Milwaukee County Behavior Health Services.

Martell says there are warning signs you can look out for.

"Sleeping too much or too little, withdrawing, isolating from family and friends. When we talk about suicide asking directly about suicide and the question can be, "Are you having thoughts of suicide," said Martell

Dr. Rickers says you can make the difference in breaking the stigma.

"We gotta educate, we gotta get people involved, we gotta get resources to people," said Dr. Rickers.

Click here to donate to Alderman Brostoff's GoFundMe.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently released Suicide Data for the state of Wisconsin.

Here are signs to look for in someone battling mental health,

Warning Signs:

  • Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
  • Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
  • Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
  • Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
  • Talking about being a burden to others
  • Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
  • Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
  • Sleeping too little or too much
  • Withdrawing or isolating themselves
  • Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
  • Extreme mood swings

Risk Factors:

  • Mental health conditions
  • Alcohol and other substance use disorders
  • Hopelessness
  • Impulsive and/or aggressive tendencies
  • History of trauma or abuse
  • Major physical illnesses
  • Previous suicide attempt(s)
  • Family history of suicide
  • Job or financial loss
  • Loss of relationship(s)
  • Easy access to lethal means
  • Local clusters of suicide
  • Lack of social support and sense of isolation
  • Stigma associated with asking for help
  • Lack of health care, especially mental health and substance use treatment
  • Cultural and religious beliefs, such as the belief that suicide is a noble resolution of a personal dilemma
  • Exposure to others who have died by suicide (in real life or via the media and internet)

Protective Factors:

  • Effective coping and problem-solving skills
  • Reasons for living such as family, friends, or pets.
  • A strong sense of cultural identity
  • Support from a partner, family, and friends
  • Feeling connected to others
  • Feeling connected to school, community, or other social organizations
  • Access to consistent and high quality physical and mental health care
  • Safe storage for lethal means (examples: guns and medications)

Those in crisis are encouraged to call Milwaukee County’s 24/7 Crisis Line 414-257-7222 or the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988.

Other resources: 

Suicide safe language

Suicide safe messaging   

HeadsUpGuys 

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