How Suicide Fuels Medical Debt
Americans who attempt to end their life are often sent medical bills for subsequent care that creates financial turmoil and more stress
This story contains descriptions of people attempting to end their life, which may be disturbing to some readers. If you or someone you know need help, consider calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1–800–273-TALK (8255) for English, 1–888–628–9454 for Spanish.
Bailey McCormick felt like nothing in her life was going right. It was May 2019 and her relationship with her family was strained, and she wasn’t getting along with her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend. Amid the stress, McCormick underwent a nonfatal suicide attempt.
During the attempt, the 30-year-old Missouri native called her psychiatrist and asked if she could come in for an emergency session. But rather than connect McCormick with her psychiatrist, the psychiatry office called the police as well as her mother who was upstairs in the house. Soon, six police officers showed up in her bedroom in the basement. She says her mind felt foggy at the time but that she remembers being handcuffed, strapped to a gurney, and sedated en route to a holding room until a regional hospital bed opened.
