September is National Suicide Prevention Month and the prevention of suicide is a very important topic to me for two reasons. First, I know what it’s like to feel hopeless; wanting to give up and quit on life. However, I am so thankful that I pressed through and didn’t give up – the best was yet to come for me and I feel the same way for everyone that goes through difficult times.
Secondly, I’ve seen the excruciating pain and loss that families are left with after their loved one takes their life. I have seen in so many situations, the guilt, the suffering, and more than anything the questions that will never be answered.
It’s for these reasons that I have made it my lifelong goal to decrease the number of suicides in any way I can.
Check out these sobering statistics:
• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. (CDC)
• Suicide is the SECOND leading cause of death for college-age youth and ages 12-18. (2013 CDC)
• More teenagers and young adults die from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza, and chronic lung disease, COMBINED.
• Each day in our nation there is an average of over 5,400 suicide attempts by young people grades 7-12.
• Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warning signs.
Suicide prevention has always been near and dear to my heart but even more so since I was asked to deliver a message at the funeral of a 14 year old boy who had taken his life last December. I recorded this video shortly after and would like to share it with all of you now.
I will be participating in the Light for Logan walk this Saturday, which benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. If you would like to support me in this effort you can donate to the cause here.