I’m not easily shocked, but this chart shocked me. I didn’t realize we had this epidemic going on in the United States. Keep the numbers listed under the chart handy. You can be someone’s lifeline.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, English — (800)273-8255
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, Spanish — (888)628-9454
For deaf/hard-of-hearing — (800)799-4899
Veterans Crisis line — (800) 273-8255
I never did like the nursery rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.” As a child growing up with a physical disability, I quickly learned this is a lie.
It’s a lie that affects many people we know–those with schizophrenia, depression, and addictions, for example. And those we label “OCD” or say “committed suicide.” What difference does the language we use make and what can we do about it? Read this short article from Our Health, “Say it or Swap It?” It’s a bit of an eye-opener.
Life is hard for veterans, who may come back to face loss of jobs, family, friends, life-focus, homes, physical disability, emotional hurdles. So much so that many resort to suicide. It’s up to us, the people they defended, to protect them. Keep this phone number handy to pass on to a vulnerable vet. In fact, loan the vet your cell phone and be with them while they make the call. It’s the least we can do.
The CDC has compiled all its 2017 statistics and revealed a startling fact: almost 40,000 people died last year from guns in the U.S. That’s the highest number in 40 years. (1999 saw 30,000 such deaths.) It’s also the third year in a row of increase, after years of stable numbers.
Worldwide, our country makes up 14.2% of gun deaths, surpassed only by Brazil, with 17.2% of the world’s gun-related deaths. Note that we aren’t talking war here–except individually against other individuals and ourselves. A good number of U.S. gun deaths (60%) are suicides, and we see daily news reports about someone shooting people in schools, venues, and places of worship.
You can read more specifics in the Huffington Post article U.S. Gun Violence Claimed More Lives In 2017 Than Ever: CDC.
I don’t care if you’re pro-gun, anti-gun, or something in between. It’s obvious that gun violence is an epidemic in America, one that needs a cure. Studies have shown that it isn’t because we have more people with mental health problems here–countries with similar numbers of those people don’t have the gun violence we have.
So what is the cause? We don’t know but must get serious about finding out. And what is the cure? Again, we don’t know but MUST get serious about finding out.
Instead of a quote, today’s Thursday Thought is one reason why Suicide Prevention Week (this week) and Month (September) are so important.
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.)
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.
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.)
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.
Kids in adult prisons? Yes, in 2013 there were 6,000+ in the U.S. These kids have few appropriate services or support as they experience sexual assault, beatings, and psychological torture. They are more likely to try suicide than kids detained in non-adult prisons, and once they get out are 77% more likely to commit crimes. This does NOT sound like a way to rehabilitate them–and they’re at the age when they are very able to change. Nor is it a way to get them ready for a productive adult life on the outside.
Read more at the Credo website. While you’re there, sign their petition to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, which simply reads, “The Department of Justice must immediately launch an investigation into the practice of trying and jailing children as adults.”