Suicide Awareness and Prevention
Losing a child to suicide is a mother's worst nightmare. Sadly, the statistics of death by suicide are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were 34,598 deaths by suicide in the U.S. in 2007 (most current available data). Of these, 17,352 deaths were caused by self-inflicted gunshot wounds, 8,168 due to suffocation, and 6,358 from poisoning.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in the US, death by suicide ranked eleventh among all deaths in 2007, yet it ranked fourth between the ages of 18 and 65. Between the ages of five and fifteen, suicide is the fifth leading cause of death and between the ages of fifteen and twenty four it ranks fourth. Death by suicide occurs approximately every 15 minutes and accounts for ninety deaths per day. For each death by suicide, there are between eighteen to twenty five failed attempts. Suicide deaths between the ages of ten and fourteen have doubled in the past decade.
Depression is the leading cause of suicide and is one of the most treatable of psychiatric conditions. Sixty percent of suicide victims suffered with major depression. Alcoholics suffering with depression raised the bar to seventy five precent.
Yet, the media ignores this epidemic. Those surviving suicide hide in shame, suffer with guilt and often deny the truth of such a tragic and horrific death of a loved one. They suffer in silence and in some instances become suicidal themselves.
Since most of the parents I have been associated with, who are surviving the death of a child by suicide, didn't see it coming, the following is the AFSP's list of behaviors exhibited by those suffering from depression and possibly have suicidal thoughts:
Don't become a statistic. If you are suffering in silence, please call someone or seek the help of a professional. If you think you are alone and have no one to reach out to, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-Talk (8255).
A special message to our soldiers returning from war or veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome...
If you are thinking the only way out of the hell you are living in is suicide, think again. There is help! You do not have to suffer in silence. There are men and women, who have been there and know how to help. Please visit the link below for 24/7 assistance:
Veterans and Soldiers
I have provided some links to site that were and continue to be very helpful to me. This year, I have also become involved with a group in my area called Strength In Hope. Please visit them and some of the other sites for more information on suicide awareness and prevention.
Strengthinhope.org
www.afsp.org
www.kidspeace.org
pos/fos.com
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, in the US, death by suicide ranked eleventh among all deaths in 2007, yet it ranked fourth between the ages of 18 and 65. Between the ages of five and fifteen, suicide is the fifth leading cause of death and between the ages of fifteen and twenty four it ranks fourth. Death by suicide occurs approximately every 15 minutes and accounts for ninety deaths per day. For each death by suicide, there are between eighteen to twenty five failed attempts. Suicide deaths between the ages of ten and fourteen have doubled in the past decade.
Depression is the leading cause of suicide and is one of the most treatable of psychiatric conditions. Sixty percent of suicide victims suffered with major depression. Alcoholics suffering with depression raised the bar to seventy five precent.
Yet, the media ignores this epidemic. Those surviving suicide hide in shame, suffer with guilt and often deny the truth of such a tragic and horrific death of a loved one. They suffer in silence and in some instances become suicidal themselves.
Since most of the parents I have been associated with, who are surviving the death of a child by suicide, didn't see it coming, the following is the AFSP's list of behaviors exhibited by those suffering from depression and possibly have suicidal thoughts:
- Observable signs of serious depression:
Unrelenting low mood
Pessimism
Hopelessness
Desperation
Anxiety, psychic pain and inner tension
Withdrawal
Sleep problems - Increased alcohol and/or other drug use
- Recent impulsiveness and taking unnecessary risks
- Threatening suicide or expressing a strong wish to die
- Making a plan:
Giving away prized possessions
Sudden or impulsive purchase of a firearm
Obtaining other means of killing oneself such as poisons or medications - Unexpected rage or anger
Don't become a statistic. If you are suffering in silence, please call someone or seek the help of a professional. If you think you are alone and have no one to reach out to, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-Talk (8255).
A special message to our soldiers returning from war or veterans suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome...
If you are thinking the only way out of the hell you are living in is suicide, think again. There is help! You do not have to suffer in silence. There are men and women, who have been there and know how to help. Please visit the link below for 24/7 assistance:
Veterans and Soldiers
I have provided some links to site that were and continue to be very helpful to me. This year, I have also become involved with a group in my area called Strength In Hope. Please visit them and some of the other sites for more information on suicide awareness and prevention.
Strengthinhope.org
www.afsp.org
www.kidspeace.org
pos/fos.com
