How incredibly sad that a young man would take his own life yesterday at Eden Park. It was one of the most beautiful, un-August-like days this City has seen, just brimming with color and vibrancy. What kind of torment was he going through that would drive him to this place? How does a human being get to the point where they feel that death is the only answer to the pain of living? And what about the people in his life: family, co-workers, friends- was there no-one for him to turn to in his despair? Here is the short Cincinnati Enquirer blurb: By Jennifer Baker • jbaker@enquirer.com • August 13, 2008
WALNUT HILLS - The man who died Tuesday after jumping from the Eden Park overpass over Kemper Lane committed suicide, Cincinnati police said today.
The man was identified today as Jeremy C. Dilbert, 30, of Greenhills. He was pronounced dead at University Hospital.
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Three years ago, I was in the position to help someone who was contemplating suicide and had already made several attempts. I had just met him and really didn't know any of his background; only that he was in deep despair and had taken up Cutting, a type of self-injury, to assuage the pain in his life. I listened for hours and let him pour out some of the turmoil that was going on his life and encouraged him to talk to his family and get professional help. He eventually did do that, was under a therapist's care, and over time was able to slay some of the mental dragons that had been torturing him. Today, he is a much stronger and self-confident individual and truly living a happy and productive life.
Often times, we have the natural tendency to not want to get involved, especially in regard to people that we don't know. Sometimes, it is in the act of reaching out a hand, that grace is born and we are really able to make a true difference in a life, in a family, in the world.
