September 4-10 is National Suicide Prevention Week.
September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day
Every 16 minutes in the US, someone dies of suicide. I knew someone who died this way and my immediate reaction was utter SHOCK. It seemed impossible; a bad nightmare; misinformation, ANYTHING but suicide.....
Until very recently, I had not thought of taking one's life as a MENTAL ILLNESS. But of course it is - when you think about it logically, KILLING YOURSELF is crazy! ok, so much for being PC. It is ILLOGICAL to feel that death is the answer; especially to inflict it upon oneself. Through nature and evolution, we are programmed to WANT TO LIVE - the instinct for survival has led our charge as a species, through millennia, the human spirit has overcome obstacle after another, powered by the WILL TO LIVE.
The depths of depression that lead some to believe that their lives are meaningless and therefore worthless are had to fathom for those of us that have not been stricken with it. And that's the point folks - people who commit suicide are NOT weak or selfish; they are ill.
Look around people - your family, your friends, your children and their friends too - YOU could be the one to help someone who is unable to help themselves.
According to the National Council for Suicide Prevention, here are some of the signs of suicide risk:
- Hopelessness
- Rage, uncontrolled anger, seeking revenge
- Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities, seemingly without thinking
- Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
- Increased alcohol or drug use
- Withdrawing from friends, family and society
- Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
- Dramatic mood changes
- Someone threatening to hurt or kill him/herself, or talking of wanting to hurt or kill him/herself
- Someone looking for ways to kill him/herself by seeking access to firearms, available pills, or other means
- Someone talking or writing about death, dying or suicide, when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273- TALK [8255]
Visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
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