This week is suicide awareness/prevention week.
- 1 million people commit suicide every year worldwide
- In the US 11 people out of every 100,000 will commit suicide this year
- Suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in America
- It’s estimated that 12 to 25 attempts happen for every one that succeeds
- It is believed that up to 1/4 of all successful suicides, the individual did not want to succeed
- It is the leading cause of death in people under 30
- 4 times as many men commit suicide as women
- It is 7th leading cause of death for men
- It is the 16th leading cause of death for women
- Over 90% of the people who commit suicide suffer from a mental disorder or substance abuse
- Incidentally, it’s a myth that suicides are more common during the holiday seasons. In fact, December is the lowest month for suicides.
If you have had thoughts about hurting yourself, you are not alone. Whatever pain you are suffering, you do not have to suffer alone.
This does not have to be how your story ends. The world will not be better off without you. You have something to offer the world, that the world needs.
If you think you know someone who is contemplating suicide don’t be afraid to ask them. Tell them you care. Ask them how you can help. Don’t be afraid to encourage them to seek professional help. Counseling works. Every time they do a study on the efficacy of counseling, they find that by and large it is successful. Don’t let your current problems, or the current problems of your friends be the final chapter in the story.