Tag Archive for hotline

Just Let Me Die!

September 12, 2018 Comments Off on Just Let Me Die!

I want to die.  Life isn’t worth living.  I can’t go on like this. You may not feel like this right now, but you probably know someone who does. The U.S. suicide rate is the highest it’s been in 30 years. It’s up to those of us in a good space to help those in a dark one.  We can’t erase all the negativity in the world–we don’t control oppression, war, power-hungry dictators, or devastating disease.  But we can keep a positive attitude around others (we never know when an affirmative word or action is just what the person we’re with needs). And we can speak up against public people who constantly spew negativity.

In everyday life we can watch for suicide warning signs (read the signs of potential suicide), keep the Suicide Prevention Hotline number (800-273-8255) handy to give to an at-risk person, and lend him/her our cell phone to call immediately.

Together, giving of ourselves and positive, concerned actions can stop that suicide rate from increasing and bring hopeless people back into the light.

(This is Suicide Prevention Week, within Suicide Prevention Month.)

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Risk and Warnings of Suicide and What to Do

June 8, 2018 Comments Off on Risk and Warnings of Suicide and What to Do

Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain are only the latest suicides we’ve heard about. They made the news because they’re famous people who “had it all.”  But they didn’t, really. They lacked something important in their lives.

We all know people like them–not famous, maybe, but people who may be thinking that life isn’t worth living so why not end it. People who contribute something to this world, even if it’s “just” their love for a friend or relative.

We can, and should, keep our eyes open for the signs. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s list of Risk Factors and Warning Signs can help us spot the warning signs (talk, behavior, and mood) and risk factors (health, environment, and history).  When we recognize one in someone, or even think we do, we should talk to a trained crisis counselor at the Suicide Prevention Hotline. Phone them at  1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 741741 to message with a trained crisis counselor. And if you feel they’re getting close to committing suicide, call 911 and don’t leave them alone under any circumstances.

Not only are you saving their life, but you’re also reminding them that there’s at least one person who wants to continue sharing this world with them. A little thing but one that may just help them find something worth living for.

 

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I Want to Die!

September 12, 2017 Comments Off on I Want to Die!

I want to die.  Life isn’t worth living.  I can’t go on like this. You may not feel like this right now, but you probably know someone who does. The U.S. suicide rate is the highest it’s been in 30 years. It’s up to those of us in a good space to help those in a dark one.  We can’t erase all the negativity in the world–we don’t control oppression, war, power-hungry dictators, or devastating disease.  But we can keep a positive attitude around others (we never know when an affirmative word or action is just what the person we’re with needs). And we can speak up against public people who constantly spew negativity.

In everyday life we can watch for suicide warning signs (read the signs of potential suicide), keep the Suicide Prevention Hotline number (800-273-8255) handy to give to an at-risk person, and lend him/her our cell phone to call immediately.

Together, giving of ourselves and positive, concerned actions can stop that suicide rate from increasing and bring hopeless people back into the light.

(This is Suicide Prevention Week.)

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Cheap Idea: Help Victims–But Not All

April 28, 2017 Comments Off on Cheap Idea: Help Victims–But Not All

A new office is being created to help crime victims–but only the victims of immigrants.  It’s called Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement, or Voice.  This is a smart move on the Administration’s part because it’s far less costly than helping all victims of crime.  In fact, it will help the smallest group of victims.  That’s because, according to the CATO Institute, citing many studies, “With few exceptions, immigrants are less crime prone than natives or have no effect on crime rates.”

I’m not sure how this office will work.  I assume it would provide extra law enforcement to go after the immigrant perpetrators, then deport them.  I guess this will give victims some sort of “closure.”  Although it does help ICE, the agency it’s housed at–it should lead to discovery of more “Illegals” and their families so they can be deported.  Their hotline might be helpful to victims, although it doesn’t seem to me any different from calling the police.  It will provide jobs for 48 people (21 community-relations officers and 27 victim-assistance specialists).

They haven’t figured out a budget for it yet, but I’m confident that it will be cheap enough for all the good it will do.

 

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I Can’t Cope!

April 22, 2016 Comments Off on I Can’t Cope!

I want to die.  Life isn’t worth living.  I can’t go on like this. You may not feel like this right now, but you probably know someone who does. The U.S. suicide rate is the highest it’s been in 30 years. It’s up to those of us in a good space to help those in a dark one.  We can’t erase all the negativity in the world–we don’t control oppression, war, power-hungry dictators, or devastating disease.  But we can keep a positive attitude around others (we never know when an affirmative word or action is just what the person we’re with needs). And we can speak up against public people who constantly spew negativity.

In everyday life we can watch for suicide warning signs (see http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/learn/warningsigns), keep the Suicide Prevention Hotline number (800-273-8255) handy to give to an at-risk person, and lend him/her our cell phone to call immediately.

Together, giving of ourselves and positive, concerned actions can stop that suicide rate from increasing and bring hopeless people back into the light.

 

 

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