Vincent van Gogh’s legacy and the need to discuss suicide in the counselling room
Walking around the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, I took the rare step of using their audio guide to help me grasp the immense amount of work this incredible artist left to the world. It was a terrific guide, adding even more colour and texture to the exhibition. And one thing it didn’t shy away from was van Gogh’s mental health. By the end of the exhibition, I was moved to tears at his life and loss.
Almost everyone who’s heard of van Gogh, knows he cut off one of his ears – it’s almost become an unfortunate shorthand for summing up his extraordinary contribution to the world. During a visit in 1888 from his friend and fellow artist, Paul Gaugain, the two strong-willed pioneers argued. After being threatened with a razor, Gaugain left and van Gogh had a mental health crisis, resulting in the removal of his left ear. Less than a month later, Vincent feared his mental health was again deteriorating and he voluntarily admitted himself to Saint-Paul-de-Mausole psychiatric hospital in Saint-Rémy.
Sunflowers, Vincent van Gogh (1888, Public Domain)
While there, he created 150 paintings, not as a consequence of his mental suffering but in spite of it.
This story of van Gogh’s ear is so embedded in stories of his life that it had, until my visit, overshadowed the circumstances surrounding his death. In July, 1890, van Gogh ended his own life and died with his brother by his side.
I found myself profoundly moved by his life, his struggles and his untimely death at just 37. It was impossible to ignore the oxymoron of such a historically troubled life while standing in this vast monument to Vincent’s legacy, filled with people deeply engaged in his work.
“Fear is the only thing in the world that gets smaller as you run towards it.”
In 2023, the most recently published UK-wide official record of confirmed suicides revealed more than 7,000 people died by suicide. And yet, despite these shocking numbers, in day-to-day life we are uncomfortable, possibly even fearful, of discussing suicide and suicide ideation. In the counselling space, it’s entirely different.
In training, we discovered that sometimes a person might directly mention they have thought about or are considering ending their life. Alternatively, they may use language that subtly hints at it. Rather than ignore these cues, a counsellor is encouraged to lean in – if we suspect a person might be considering ending their life, we ask them, it’s that simple.
Van Gogh’s work lives on and we honour his legacy not only by admiring his paintings, but by learning more about the pain he endured in his life. Talking openly about suicide, whether as counsellors or as friends, can be an act of compassion and connection. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone. In the UK, Samaritans offer free, confidential support 24/7 on 116 123.
Further Support:
Mind Support Line 0300 102 1234
Papyrus Hopeline 0800 068 41 41